GLOUCESTER SIGN MARKHAM

Gloucester have signed second row David Markham in a major coup for the club. The 19-year-old spent last season at Welford Road after he lost a place at Sale Sharks due to funding cuts.

Markham told BBC Gloucestershire: “Leicester has a tendency to bring in older players rather than give younger ones a chance.

“If I had stayed at Leicester I would have been eighth or ninth choice, but at Gloucester I’ll be much higher up the pecking order.”