Davies Departs from Gloucester

Gloucester have announced that Director of Rugby Nigel Davies has left the Aviva Premiership club with immediate effect.

The former Wales international centre has paid the price for a poor season that saw Gloucester finish ninth in the Premiership table.

The decision has come after the Cherry & Whites suffered a demoralising 28-27 defeat to already-relegated Worcester, in the final game of the season.

Davies joined the club in June 2012 after a spell at the Llanelli Scarlets, but Gloucester have failed to make any significant impact on either the domestic or European stage.

Gloucester's decision was confirmed by the club's chief executive Stephen Vaughan.

"Following extensive discussions between members of the Gloucester Rugby board with regards to the future direction of the playing department, the club has decided to part company with director of rugby Nigel Davies," Vaughan said.

"It has been a tremendously difficult decision to reach.

"Nigel is a man who I personally have come to like and respect very much during my time at the club.

"He has worked tirelessly at his role over the past two seasons, he has been an excellent ambassador for the club and understands the expectation and levels we need to be performing at.

"However, playing performances and results during 2013-14 were a big disappointment to everyone at the club.

"As a result, the board has decided that the future interests of the team would be best served with a different individual in charge of team affairs.

"We have clear aspirations to be a top four side, and that must drive our decision-making process."

Gloucester are preparing for next season with a number of keynote signings, which include Wales and Lions hooker Richard Hibbard, former New Zealand All Black prop John Afoa and Scotland scrum-half Greig Laidlaw.

However, the West Country club have failed to qualify for next season’s inaugural European Rugby Champions Cup due to their poor premiership campaign.

Vaughan added that the search for Davies' successor would be an extensive one.

"We will leave no stone unturned in our quest to find the right man for the job," he said.

"We believe that the director of rugby role at Gloucester Rugby is one of the most prestigious in club rugby, and we're expecting interest from a high calibre of applicants worldwide.

"The player recruitment and retention that we have carried out over the past few months means that the successful applicant will have a top-quality squad to work with next season, and they will be joining a club that is in great shape away from the playing field.

"I would like to place on record mine and the rest of the board's thanks to Nigel for his hard work and his contribution over the past two seasons, and wish him well for the future.

"He will always be welcome at Kingsholm, and I have no doubt that he will do a good job wherever he goes from here."