Fisher takes Gloucester role

Gloucester have announced the appointment of Australian Laurie Fisher as head coach.

Fisher will complete a new-look coaching team at the Aviva Premiership club, joining Nick Walshe and John Muggleton following former Ireland fly-half David Humphreys' arrival as director of rugby.

Fisher, 56, has been rugby director at Canberra-based Super Rugby side the Brumbies since 2012.

He is a former Brumbies head coach, while he also worked at Irish province Munster between 2008 and 2011.

Confirming Fisher's appointment, Gloucester chief executive Stephen Vaughan said: " Understandably, there has been massive interest in the role over the past few weeks and we have left no stone unturned as we have strived to find the right person.

"However, once we spoke with Laurie and exchanged ideas and presented our vision of where we want to take the club, it was immediately apparent that this was a great fit.

" He deservedly enjoys a reputation as one of the shrewdest minds in world rugby, an individual who has continually sought to improve himself and his coaching methods.

"The references and feedback we have had regarding Laurie from high quality people that have worked with him have been very impressive indeed.

"That has been reflected in what he has achieved over the years with both the Brumbies and Munster. The number of young players he has coached to achieve great things within the game are too many to mention."

Apart from revamping the coaching set-up, Gloucester have also made a raft of new signings for next season, including Wales internationals James Hook and Richard Hibbard, Scotland half-back Greig Laidlaw and former New Zealand prop John Afoa.

"It's been an incredibly hectic few weeks at the club, but we are delighted with the make-up of the playing squad and coaching staff as we look ahead," Vaughan added.

"A lot of hard work lies ahead before we kick off the new season and a number of new faces will need time to blend, but I believe we are putting the essential building blocks in place to fulfil our long-term goal of sustained success for the club."