Fanolua extends Gloucester stay

Samoa’s powerful World Cup centre Terry Fanolua today agreed a new three-year deal with Gloucester.

The 29-year-old – capped 25 times by Samoa – has extended his stay at Kingsholm until 2007, a decade after he became one of the club’s first overseas signings.

“Gloucester has been a true home to me since I arrived back in the 1990s. I’ve grown up with these players and have a lot of friends in the area,” said Fanolua, who has made 123 appearances for the Cherry and Whites.

Fanolua’s presence beefs-up Gloucester’s backs. He is a difficult player to bring down and is equally uncompromising in defence.

Director of rugby Nigel Melville added: “He is a very popular figure at Gloucester and brings so much to our midfield play. Terry Fanolua at full-throttle on a rampaging run is a great sight to see.”