Gloucester Rugby pencil in preseason friendlies : News

Gloucester Rugby can today reveal provisional arrangements for its preseason schedule as Bryan Redpath and the squad prepare for the 2011-12 campaign.

First up is participation in the JP Asset Management Premiership Rugby Sevens at Franklin's Gardens, Northampton on Friday July 22nd. Gloucester will play against London Wasps, Northampton Saints and Saracens.

The squad will then fly out to Portugal for a week long training camp and, upon their return, two preseason friendlies have been scheduled to take place at Kingsholm

The first will see Gloucester Rugby take on London Welsh on Saturday August 20th (kick off 3pm) and the second will be against Russia on Friday August 26th (kick off 7:45pm).

The Russia game has been designated as a benefit match for James Simpson-Daniel as part of his testimonial campaign.

For all details regarding Sinbad's Benefit Year and more information on the match v Russia please visit http://www.sinbadsbenefityear.bigbrainevents.co.uk/

Gloucester supporters had their first glimpse of the potential of the Russian side when they faced Italy A in the Churchill Cup at Kingsholm last weekend and delighted the crowd with their attacking rugby as they pushed the Azzuri all the way.

In addition, Olivier Azam's testimonial committee have provisionally arranged a fixture against French champions Toulouse at Kingsholm as his testimonial match. Further details for this game will be announced when they are available.

The Cherry and Whites returned to preseason training this morning, so we caught up with Head of Strength & Conditioning Dan Tobin about what was ahead for the squad.

Stephen Thomas, a regular at Gloucester Rugby's Walking Rugby sessions is in line for a top prize after being nominated for Premiership Rugby's BREAKTHRU Achiever of the Year award. He admitted to GRTV to being shocked and humbled by the news.