Gloucester turn to local coaching talent as Bower replaces Woodman at scrum

Gloucester have moved to appoint former Premiership prop Ryan Bower as their new scrum coach, filling the vacancy left by Trevor Woodman’s departure to Connacht, where he joins Stuart Lancaster’s backroom staff.

Woodman, a 2003 Rugby World Cup winner with England, ends a 12-year association with Kingsholm that spanned both his playing and coaching career. Gloucester’s search for his successor was shaped by financial constraints — the club posted a £2.9 million loss for 2024/25, a six-fold increase on the previous year — and owner Martin St Quinton is understood to be reluctant to spend up to the £6.4 million salary cap.

Bower, 35, was found close to home. Nuneaton-born, he has been coaching at neighbouring Hartpury RFC in the Championship, while also working with the college’s under-17 side and Gloucester’s own academy as a scrum and breakdown specialist. Before that, he served as lead forwards coach at the now-defunct RFU Midlands West Academy, following a stint at Royal Grammar School, Worcester.

As a player, Bower enjoyed a 12-year professional career, making nearly 200 appearances for Leicester, Worcester and London Irish in the Premiership before finishing at the Dallas Jackals in the United States. He retired from playing in 2022.

He joins a significantly reshaped Gloucester coaching structure. His former Leicester teammate Brett Deacon has arrived from the Tigers as forwards coach, while Joel Tomkins has been brought in as defence coach. Dom Waldouck has been appointed head of player development.

At the top of the organisation, Chris Boyd has taken on the role of technical director and Rob Burgess has moved from Bath to become general manager, a change that allows head coach George Skivington to return to a more hands-on role with the squad.