Lions hooker Hibbard signs for Gloucester

British and Irish Lions hooker Richard Hibbard will join Gloucester from Ospreys next season, the English Premiership side announced on Monday. The 30-year-old Welshman follows in the footsteps of New Zealand prop John Afoa, who is also due to link up with Gloucester next season after agreeing to leave Ulster. "As with the recent confirmation of John Afoa's signing, Richard agreeing to join Gloucester Rugby next season is fantastic news," Gloucester director of rugby Nigel Davies told the club website. "Richard is arguably one of the top hookers in world rugby. Clubs all around the world have been interested in signing him, so it's significant that we've been able to convince him that Gloucester is the right place for him to play his rugby." Hibbard made his Wales debut in 2006 and played four times in their successful Six Nations campaign earlier this year before featuring in all three Tests of the Lions' triumphant tour of Australia. He expressed sadness about leaving Ospreys, but said he was excited about the challenge awaiting him at the Kingsholm Stadium. "It was always going to be a tough decision to leave my home area, as I'm currently in my 10th successive season at the Ospreys, which is my local region and where I was born," he said. "That said, I'm absolutely delighted to be joining a rugby club such as Gloucester, based in the heart of the local community, with such a tradition and with amazing support. "I'm a great believer in loyalty and community and I'd like to place on record formally, my great thanks to the Ospreys management, coaches, players and fans for supporting me so well throughout my career." Source: AFP