Related links

Teams

• Gloucester

Players

• Adam Balding

Gloucester captain Adam Balding has committed himself to the club for a further two years.

The news marks a pleasing start to 2006 for Balding, who featured in the recent 31-7 thumping of Leeds Tykes that saw the Cherry-and-Whites move to fourth in the table.

Gloucester's future is looking particularly bright as coach Dean Ryan continues in his quest to tie his key men to new deals, and the Kingsholm coach was delighted to extend the stay of his skipper.

"Adam is one of our senior players and it is great to secure him to the club long-term," said Ryan.

"He is a player who leads by example, is supremely competitive and is somebody we want to work with for a long time. I am really pleased it has been concluded so quickly.

"To have someone of Adam's ability at the club is a major boost for us."

After recovering from the opening day setback of a fractured cheekbone, Balding has formed a formidable back row combination with Jake Boer and Andy Hazell.

Young talent James Forrester has also enjoyed a fine opening half to the current campaign, and Balding believes the future looks bright for the club.

"It seems so long ago since my Leicester days and I like to think I have moved on to bigger and better things," said the number eight.

"I am so pleased with how everything is going and just glad I have the chance to play my part in Gloucester's future for another two years.

"My ambition is to push myself even harder and to play a big part in the team during 2006."