Yahoo News Gloucester Rugby looking to reunite with Bath Rugby lock
Gloucester Rugby have spoken to Bath lock Elliott Stooke about making a return to Kingsholm ahead of next season after his contract at the Recreation Ground expires according to the latest reports.
Stooke, 30, broke into professional rugby with the Cherry and Whites, making his debut for the club in 2014, but in 2016 after 65 appearances he joined West Country rivals Bath Rugby where his reputation continued to grow, becoming a regular fixture in Blue, Black and White and even getting called into England camps without earning a cap.
In 2021 the nearly 20 stone lock left Bath for Wasps, where he again impressed before suffering a horror ankle and lower leg break. Following Wasps’ demise into administration, Stooke has bounced around several clubs, representing the Barbarians before getting picked up by Bristol Bears, then moving to Montpellier as a medical joker. In 2023 he rejoined Bath for a second stint, this time under head of rugby Johann van Graan but it appears he will leave the club in the summer with the South African having signed Leinster lock Ross Molony and Bulls second row Jacques du Plessis ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, as well as Newcastle Falcons flanker Guy Pepper.
Gloucester director of rugby George Skivington denied being in the market for an additional second row last month when asked by GloucestershireLive, despite having lost promising lock Cam Jordan to a long-term ACL injury; instead, he said the club will trust in their young talent coming through the academy.
But a proven Premiership performer like Stooke, who can also play on the blindside if required, would be a welcome addition to any squad in the league providing the price is right and RugbyPass report Skivington has been making enquiries into his willingness to return to his first professional club.
