Country boy: Tindall will take on added responsibility of back coach

GLOUCESTER RUGBY’S new Director of Rugby, Nigel Davies, was delighted to confirm that Mike Tindall has signed a contract to become a player/ coach at the club next season.

Davies was meeting the media for the first time in his new role having only been at Kingsholm for two weeks. He has hit the ground running and his first key decision has been to keep the former England international at Kingsholm, at the club where he has played for the past seven seasons.

Davies has a track record of encouraging internal progression from the playing squad into coaching roles – Simon Easterby and Mark Jones are examples at the Scarlets – and he is continuing that trend at Gloucester.

“Mike has a lot of valuable experience and great loyalty to Gloucester Rugby and its supporters and understands what it means to be a part of this club,” said Davies. “It’s important to have people involved that underpin your culture and values as a playing group.

“He will be operating as player and backs coach for me in the coming year. I think he has a very strong tradition and heritage with the club and a very good rugby brain. I think it’s very important to have a certain amount of continuity at any club with your senior players and I see Mike providing that continuity.”