Wednesday 2 July 2014 12:08, UK
Gloucester have confirmed the appointment of Australian Laurie Fisher as their new head coach.
Super Rugby side the Brumbies confirmed last week that their director of rugby was to leave at the end of the current campaign, which could end early this month if they fail to reach the knockout finals.
And Gloucester revealed on Wednesday morning that they had completed a management overhaul by securing the 56-year-old's services.
Fisher will join coaches Nick Walshe and John Muggleton at Kingsholm following former Ireland fly-half David Humphreys' arrival as director of rugby.
He deservedly enjoys a reputation as one of the shrewdest minds in world rugby, an individual who has continually sought to improve himself and his coaching methods.
"There has been massive interest in the role over the past few weeks, and we have left no stone unturned as we have strived to find the right person," the Aviva Premiership club's chief executive, Stephen Vaughan, said.
"However, once we spoke with Laurie and exchanged ideas and presented our vision of where we want to take the club, it was immediately apparent that this was a great fit. We're absolutely thrilled that he'll be joining us at Kingsholm as part of the new coaching set-up.
"He deservedly enjoys a reputation as one of the shrewdest minds in world rugby, an individual who has continually sought to improve himself and his coaching methods. The references and feedback we have had regarding Laurie from high quality people that have worked with him have been very impressive indeed.
"That has been reflected in what he has achieved over the years with both the Brumbies and Munster. The number of young players he has coached to achieve great things within the game are too many to mention.
"A lot of hard work lies ahead before we kick off the new season and a number of new faces will need time to blend, but I believe we are putting the essential building blocks in place to fulfil our long term goal of sustained success for the club."
Fisher coached the Brumbies from 2005 to 2008 and, in his director of rugby role, was pivotal to a revival that saw the club reach the Super Rugby finals in 2013. He also worked at Irish province Munster between 2008 and 2011.
