News

Hazell granted Testimonial season

Thursday 07th August 2008

Memorable year: Hazell joins a special group

Gloucester and England flank Andy Hazell has been granted a Testimonial year by the club for the forthcoming season.

The dynamic player will follow in the footsteps of two other leading forwards of recent seasons - Andy Deacon and Mark Cornwell - who have also been granted the prestigious honour by the Guinness Premiership side.

Hazell is Gloucester's longest-serving player and a fans' firm favourite, having made his debut in 1997 under then coach Richard Hill.

He has since developed into one of the most hard-working forwards in the country, making 180 first-team appearances in all competitions.

"There are not many Gloucester players who have ever been granted a Testimonial year so to follow players like Andy Deacon and Mark Cornwell with this honour means a huge amount to me," Hazell said, speaking to the club's official website.

"I am passionate about Gloucester and its rugby. When you grow up as a local kid in the local leagues, it was always a dream to play for Gloucester and I am very fortunate to have fulfilled that dream. There is plenty I still want to achieve in the game and I am relishing the start of the new season.

"This is just something very special and to be only the third player to ever receive one is a tremendous honour."

Elsewhere, Leinster have announced the appointment of former scrum-half Guy Easterby to the recently-created Chief Scout position for the province.

The 37-year-old Irishman will be responsible for developing a national and international scouting network along with establishing a worldwide group of players who are capable of playing for the Magners League outfit.

"I am delighted to welcome Guy Easterby back to the club and I am pleased that he has accepted this position which will further strengthen the club's ambition to identify and recruit top quality players," said Head Coach Michael Cheika.

"Guy has a huge wealth of knowledge and experience in the domestic, European and international game and is a hugely respected figure in Leinster having represented both the province with distinction in two spells with the club as well as Ireland on 28 occasions.

"The calibre of applicant was particularly impressive for this position, but it was apparent early on in our discussions how enthusiastic Guy was to make this new position his own.

"I am confident that this appointment will further enhance the province's standing and I look forward to working with Guy once again."

Meanwhile, a delighted Easterby was honoured to have landed such an 'attractive' position and is fully committed to helping the province compete regularly on both domestic and the European stage.

"I am delighted to be joining Leinster at, what is, a hugely exciting time for the province," he said.

"The position of Chief Scout is a hugely attractive one for me and I am looking forward to playing a part in the continued development of Leinster as a major force in European rugby.

"The recruitment in terms of playing and coaching personnel over recent months has been first class and I'll be rejoining a fantastic outfit.

"Given that this is a new role, I will find my feet first and then try to identify outstanding players not just in Ireland, the UK, Europe and in the southern hemisphere, but also in the developing nations who have made massive strides in recent years.

"It is a huge honour to have been offered the position by Leinster and I am really excited about this opportunity."