Gloucester sign young England star

Gloucester have signed young centre Anthony Allen, a member of England's Junior National Academy, on professional terms.

The 18 year-old is currently completing his studies at Somerset-based Millfield School before joining the Kingsholm club in the summer.

Allen has represented England Under-19s for the last two years, and partnered Newcastle's Mathew Tait in his country's midfield in the age group's World Cup in South Africa in 2004.

Nigel Melville, the Zurich Premiership club's director of rugby, said: "Anthony is a quality young centre. The club's recruitment process is about getting the right balance of experienced players and also ensuring we're signing the best young talents in the game, and Anthony is certainly one of those."

Allen said: "It's rugby, rugby, rugby in Gloucester, and I want to be part of that. Everyone has heard how important the game is to the area, and that rubs off on players."