Gloucester have announced another major signing ahead of next season, with Ireland international and Leinster fly-half Ross Byrne making the move to the West Country outfit.

The announcement of his arrival comes off the back of the Cherry and Whites confirming the signing of Harlequins centre Will Joseph.

Byrne makes the switch to Gloucester next season in a move that is likely to end his international career, having already fallen down the pecking order with Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley leading the way.

Byrne heads to the Premiership

Gloucester director of rugby George Skivington believes that Byrne joining is a real statement of ambition from the club who currently sit third overall on the table after a woeful campaign last season.

“Leinster is quite rightly recognised as a breeding ground for lots of quality players, and Ross is one of the best players they’ve produced over the last decade,” he said.

“It’s rare to come across someone with so much domestic and international pedigree, and when they do become available, inevitably there’s a lot of interest in them, so it’s a real coup for us.

“Ross’s signing is a real statement of ambition, and we can’t wait for him to get started.”

Byrne has spent much of his career with Leinster and Ireland sitting behind Johnny Sexton but has still enjoyed immense success with both teams.

He has scored 56 points in his 22 Test caps winning two Triple Crowns, one Six Nations Championship and one Six Nations Grand Slam.

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Kingsholm draw

In his 177 games for Leinster, he has won four URC titles and one Champions Cup, finishing as runner-up a further four times.

He also represented Ireland at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

“I’m delighted to have signed with Gloucester Rugby for next season. The club’s exciting ambitions made it an opportunity I just couldn’t pass up,” Byrne said.

“The team are producing a really great brand of rugby already, and that’s certainly something that drew me to Kingsholm. I’m hoping I can add to that and help the team grow further in the future.

“Having experienced the incredible atmosphere at Kingsholm before, I’m looking forward to getting out there in Cherry and White and challenging myself in one of the most competitive leagues in world rugby.”

Byrne’s arrival will please Gloucester fans after it was confirmed that Los Pumas star Santiago Carreras would be joining rivals Bath next season while rumours continue to swirl around Zach Mercer’s future with the back-rower believed to be joining Toulon.

Scotland’s Jack Mann is set to fill his void in the back-row while Byrne and Joseph arrive along with Stormers winger Ben Loader.

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Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/rare-pedigree-joins-gloucester-in-statement-signing-that-effectively-ends-ireland-career