Ryan Bower joins Gloucester as scrum coach ahead of 2026/27

Gloucester Rugby is pleased to welcome Ryan Bower to the Club as Scrum Coach ahead of the 2026/27 season.

In addition to his new position, the 35-year-old will continue in his current role as scrum and breakdown coach for Hartpury RFC, while relinquishing his lecturing and coaching commitments to Hartpury College. Bower will also continue to work with the Gloucester Rugby Academy.

The former loosehead prop represented Leicester Tigers, Nottingham and Worcester Warriors during his playing career, as well as a stint in the USA with the Dallas Jackals, where he retired.

Transitioning into coaching, Bower spent time as Forwards & Defence Coach for the West Midlands Academy before making the move to Hartpury where he has specialised in the scrum.

Head Coach, George Skivington, said:

“I’m pleased to welcome Ryan to the coaching group. He is highly regarded in the Champ and has developed Hartpury’s scrum into one of the competition’s standout units.

“It’s hugely advantageous for us to have a specialist coach working across all levels of our pathway. Ryan will have regular contact time with all our best front row talent from the academy right through to senior, so we can ensure cohesion and consistency across the programme.

“Stepping into the PREM environment presents an exciting challenge for Ryan, and we’re delighted to add his wealth of knowledge and experience to the group.”

Bower added:

“I’m delighted to be joining an exciting coaching group at Gloucester Rugby.

“The scrum has long been a cornerstone of Gloucester Rugby’s identity, so to be entrusted with playing a key role in that area is a real honour.

“I’m looking forward to working alongside a talented group of players and coaches and can’t wait to get started.”

Martin Haag, Hartpury’s Head of Performance Rugby, added:

“We are sorry to see Ryan leave the programme, but a key part of what we do is developing people as well as players. We are delighted he has earned this fantastic opportunity and are equally pleased that he will continue working with Hartpury RFC.

“We look forward to him bringing new skills and ideas back into our environment.”