Gloucester look set to appoint a new coaching team, once Mohed Altrad’s takeover of the club is given the green light by World Rugby and European Professional Club Rugby next week.

Despite the controversy surrounding Johan Goosen’s retirement and subsequent rumours connecting the South African with moves to either Montpellier or Gloucester, the Daily Mail believe Altrad’s takeover over will be given the go-ahead in the coming days.

Although nothing has yet been confirmed, Altrad has already sought out the services of Phillipe Saint-Andre, Mike Ford and Olivier Azam ahead of next season. Indeed, Gloucester have been active in the transfer market in recent weeks, signing the likes of Owen Williams and Fraser Balmain in recent weeks.

While Ford would serve under Saint-Andre in any would be coaching set up, it nonetheless represents an upshot in Ford’s fortunes following his sacking by Bath last season.

Despite replacing Diego Dominguez at Toulon a few weeks into the current Top 14 season, the former England defence coach has struggled to impose himself on either Mourad Boudjellal or the players at the Stade Mayol.

Consequently, Fabien Galthie is now expected to take the reigns at Toulon next season, with the fate of Richard Cockerill also up in the air.

Alan Drumm, Pundit Arena

This week’s edition of The Oval Office, we discuss all things Six Nations with George Hook, Paul Williams from Rugby World magazine and former Ireland u-20 international Adam McBurney.

https://soundcloud.com/punditarenarugby/six-nations-preview-featuring-george-hook-paul-williams-and-adam-mcburney

Read More About: aviva premiership, england rugby, gloucester, mike ford, montpellier, Phillipe Saint-André, richard cockerill, Toulon