Gloucester forge multi-year development partnership with Japan's Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks

Gloucester Rugby have entered into a multi-year international development partnership with Japanese club Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks, with the collaboration set to begin this summer at Kingsholm.

As part of the agreement, six Blue Sharks players and five members of staff will travel to Gloucester for a month-long placement during the club’s pre-season programme. Working alongside Gloucester’s first-team and academy players and staff, the visiting group will gain hands-on experience across rugby operations, medical services and strength and conditioning.

The programme is also designed to facilitate a broader exchange of knowledge and best practice between the two organisations, with the aim of strengthening ties over the long term.

Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks are a club on the rise in Japanese rugby. They reached the Division 2 final this season and are currently competing in the promotion play-offs for a place in Japan Rugby League One’s top division. Former Gloucester fly-half Billy Burns is among their current playing staff.

Gloucester Chief Executive Alex Brown welcomed the deal, saying: “We are delighted to be working with Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks following their impressive season. This partnership is an exciting opportunity to unite two ambitious organisations, where players and staff can learn from one another, share ideas, and build a long-term relationship that drives development and delivers benefits both on and off the field.”

“We look forward to welcoming the Blue Sharks to Kingsholm each year and to seeing this collaboration grow in the seasons ahead,” Brown added.

Gloucester join a growing number of Gallagher Premiership clubs building formal ties with Japanese rugby. In January 2025, Leicester Tigers announced a Performance Partnership with Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars, which has already seen Lewis Chessum and Charlie Titcombe move to Japan on loan and tighthead Tomoaki Ishii train at Welford Road. Harlequins, meanwhile, unveiled a strategic partnership with New Zealand back in March 2018, cooperating with the All Blacks on player and coaching exchanges.