Alemanno among 12 first-teamers leaving Gloucester

Argentina lock Matias Alemanno will leave Gloucester this summer, the Prem club have announced.

The 34-year-old has made 99 appearances for the Kingsholm side, and is one of 12 first-team players departing George Skivington's squad before next season.

"Matty has been unbelievable since I brought him in right at the start of the process," head coach Skivington told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

"I have huge admiration for Matty, he is a proper warrior. He has been nothing but positive here, he has never moaned once, he does what is best for the team - he just gets on with it.

"He is an unbelievable character - even though he has known he is not going to be here next season has been second to none. It will be a sad day when we have to say goodbye to him."

Joining Alemanno on the leavers list is prop Kirill Gotovtsev, who will retire after 87 matches for the Cherry and White since joining in 2021.

"Kirill is a brilliant character, and brings so much laughter and camaraderie to the building," said Skivington.

"He was just honest about his body slowing up. He said to me six or seven months ago that this was the end of the ride, but he has been brilliant around the place."

Previously announced departees include Tomos Williams (Saracens), Hugh Bokenham (Cornish Pirates), and Cam Jordan (Newcastle).

"Tomos has a highlight reel that will live long in the Gloucester memory," said Skivington.

"He was box-office stuff last season - he is a world-class player. I'm sure when he comes back we will welcome him in his own way.

"Cam feels that Newcastle will give him more opportunities than we can and he is one of those guys you can only wish the best to."

Academy graduate Jake Morris also leaves after more than five seasons of service.

"Jake has been a loyal servant to the club - he keeps turning up to training, he keeps training hard to play for Gloucester to emulate what his dad [Simon Morris] did. He will always be welcome here," Skivington added.

Josh Basham, Jono Benz-Salomon, Will Butler, Nepo Laulala, Archie McArthur and Rob Russell complete the list of first-team players to leave.

In addition, the club have also confirmed the departure of academy players George Dufty, Ollie Minnis, Dan O'Reilly, Rhys Price, Dan Owen, Pete Paramore, Rio Ebanks and Freddie Stevens.

"I'd like to thank every player who is leaving the club for their commitment and contribution during their time at Kingsholm," said Skivington.

"They've all played their part, whether that's across a number of seasons or during a shorter spell, and they leave with our very best wishes for the future.

"It's always a difficult time saying goodbye, particularly to those who have been with us for several years, and I know our supporters will join us in thanking them for everything they've given in Cherry and White."

With those leaving having amassed almost 450 appearances for Gloucester going into Saturday's Prem season finale, there will be large gaps to fill in next year's roster.

Skivington though, says plans to bolster his squad are almost complete.

"We have very little recruitment left to fill some of those gaps - we have probably done our last necessary signing," said the Gloucester coach.

"The summer can always be fluid, but we have done the bulk of the work already. Behind the scenes we are aligned and are in the best position we have ever been in.

"The squad signings we have made are clear intentions of what we want to be next year."

Arrivals already announced at Kingsholm for next year include centre Phil Cokanasiga, and Wales team-mates Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake, all of whom will join from Ospreys for the start of the 2026-27 season.

Former academy graduate Dan Robson is also returning, 11 years after first departing the south-west club.

For now the attention remains on securing a top-eight spot and a place in Europe for next season against Newcastle this Saturday.

Whatever the outcome, it could be an emotional Kingsholm at the final whistle.

"Sometimes you have to let players you really value, care about and do a good job for you go, and that is just the balancing act of building a squad. Unfortunately you lose some really good guys and we will at the end of this season," said Skivington.