Gloucester RFC - New signing

Gloucester Rugby Club has announced that it has been successful in concluding a deal, which will bring Newport player Peter Buxton to Kingsholm for the start of next season.

Buxton, who can play either blind side or number eight, has agreed terms for a three-year deal and will start his new contract when pre-season training starts in preparation for next season.

He started his career at Cheltenham before moving to Midlands side Moseley. After a successful spell there, he moved to Welsh side Newport and has been ever-present this season, starring in the Heineken Cup for the Welsh side who finished second in their Pool after beating Newcastle twice.

Buxton was also called up for the England A Six Nations Squad this season and hopes to continue his development in the Zurich Premiership.

Speaking exclusively to Gloucester’s official club web site today, Buxton said: “I always supported Gloucester as a youngster so it will be great to have a chance to play for them. The Premiership seems very competitive and I hope that playing in that environment will help my game.”

“I loved the exposure I got from playing with the (England) A squad and of course, like any English rugby player, I want the chance to go for top honours. Firstly though, my priority is to train hard in pre-season and get into the Gloucester first XV. There’s no point in saying I want to play for England if I’m not playing for Gloucester,” he added.

“Gloucester have already got a very good back row so I know it will be hard, but they must have bought me for a reason, so I hope I can do a job for them,” said Buxton.

Buxton is the first signing Nigel Melville has made as director of rugby at Gloucester and talking to Gloucester’s official web site, Nigel Melville said: “He is a player we have been interested in for some time. He’s young, English and has been one of the players of the season for Newport this season. He has been capped by England A this year and he is keen to develop his game. He wants the chance to play in the Premiership and I hope we can help him develop as an all-round player