Runciman takes on the Bath defence during an earlier stint with Worcester © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Nick Runciman

Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership

Teams: England | Gloucester Rugby

Gloucester have bolstered their scrum-half options ahead of next season with the signing of Nick Runciman from Championship club London Welsh.

The 25-year-old Runciman graduated from the Gloucester Rugby Academy at the start of his rugby career and had a spell in the Premiership with Worcester Warriors before moving onto London Welsh. He has been a regular at Old Deer Park, making 65 league appearances in total and is currently playing his part in the Exiles' play-off campaign.

"We know all about Nick obviously with him having started his career here as part of our Academy and then having played just up the road at Worcester," commented Gloucester boss Bryan Redpath.

"He's developed into a very capable performer in the meantime and we're aware that Rory Lawson will probably be away for quite a bit of next season because of the Rugby World Cup and Six Nations. We'll therefore need options in the number nine shirt as it's a specialist position and with Nick, Dave Lewis and Dan Robson to call upon, I'm very happy with where we stand."

Runciman himself is delighted to be returning to where it all started for him. "It'll be great to be back at Kingsholm. I obviously still know a number of the boys there and have kept tabs on how the team have been doing. I've really enjoyed my time at London Welsh, they're a great club and it goes without saying that I'll be doing my level best for them for the remaining games of the season."

In related news, following the sad passing of former owner Tom Walkinshaw late last year, Gloucester have confirmed the composition of its new-look board. The new faces are Tom's son, Ryan Walkinshaw, in addition to David Grainger who joins as a Non-Executive Board Member and David McKnight who takes on the role of Non-Executive Chairman.

The board will now consist of David McKnight, two owners in the shape of Ryan Walkinshaw and Martin St Quinton, non-executive board members Wayne Humphries and David Grainger and board members Ken Nottage and Chris Ferguson.