The Cherry and Whites have their three senior first hookers unavailable
John Evely Sports Writer
14:30, 09 Jan 2026
Gloucester Rugby have confirmed the signing of hooker Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia on a three-month contract to ease the club's injury crisis in the specialist position.
Boyle-Tiatia has been plying his trade for Waikato in New Zealand in the NPC and has been drafted in with the Cherry and Whites losing all three first-team hookers to injury.
Jack Singleton is out indefinitely with a heart issue, Seb Blake is working his way back from a broken hand, and Jack Innard is also sidelined. Meanwhile, further down the pecking order, promising teenager Freeman-Price is also in the physio room having picked up an injury on England U19s duty before Christmas.
As a result, Will Crane was been drafted in from Hartpury for last weekend's defeat away at Newcastle Red Bulls and starts against Edinburgh tonight, making his Champions Cup debut at 31-years-old. Nineteen-year-old academy hooker George Knowles is on the bench.
With that context, the Cherry and Whites have secured the services of Boyle-Tiatia, who joins the squad from next week to provide vital cover during a crucial period of the season.
Gloucester director of rugby, George Skivington, said: "It’s no secret that we’ve faced a challenging period with multiple injuries in one position, so securing Manaaki on a short-term deal was essential. He’s a talented hooker who will fit well into our environment and be able to contribute immediately."
“It’s a difficult time of the year to find players who are available immediately as sides are always reluctant to reduce their resources in specialist positions, so with the NPC finished in New Zealand, I’m pleased that we’ve been able bring in Manaaki.”
Boyle-Tiatia will link up with the squad next week and is eligible for selection ahead of the upcoming fixtures, with Toulon coming to Kingsholm next weekend in the final Champions Cup pool stage game and Bath the week after in Round 10 of the Gallagher PREM.