England centre Mike Tindall has rejoined Gloucester after agreeing a one-year deal, the club has confirmed.
Player-coach role for England centre
England centre Mike Tindall has rejoined Gloucester after agreeing a one-year deal, the club confirmed on Tuesday.
Tindall resumes his career at Kingsholm in the new role of player-coach and will help oversee development of the backline and defence.
The 33-year-old had been searching for a club after former head coach Bryan Redpath told him he would not be offered a new contract with the club.
Tindall had been involved in talks with French second division outfit Pays d'Aix earlier this month but the move fell through when he opted to remain in England.
Now Redpath's departure from Kingsholm and the appointment of Nigel Davies as the new director of rugby appear to have paved the way for Tindall's return.
Davies has a track record of encouraging internal progression from the playing squad into coaching roles - Simon Easterby and Mark Jones are examples at the Scarlets - and he is continuing that trend at Kingsholm.
Loyalty
"Mike has a lot of valuable experience and great loyalty to Gloucester Rugby and its supporters and understands what it means to be a part of this club," said Davies, who has only been at Gloucester for two weeks.
"It's important to have people involved that underpin your culture and values as a playing group.
"That investment can stretch beyond rugby performance - it's about harnessing the strength, commitment and drive from people that have an inherent loyalty and ambition for the team and business to succeed in the long-term."
And Davies is in no doubt that Tindall, who has been at Gloucester for the last seven years, will have a key role to play as he adds a new chapter to an already stellar career.
"He will be operating as player and backs coach for me in the coming year. I think he has a very strong tradition and heritage with the club and a very good rugby brain," Davies added of the 2003 World Cup winner.
"I think it's very important to have a certain amount of continuity at any club with your senior players and I see Mike providing that continuity."
