Gloucester confirms the signing of England centre Joseph

bySteven Smith

Gloucester Rugby has pulled off a major midfield coup, securing the signature of Will Joseph from Premiership rivals Harlequins.

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The 22-year-old centre, who first broke through with London Irish, will join George Skivington’s squad ahead of next season – and he’s already eyeing up a big impact at Kingsholm.

From Exiles to Kingsholm – Joseph’s journey

Joseph’s rugby roots trace back to the London Irish academy, where he joined at just 13 years old. After making his senior debut in 2021, the dynamic centre became a key figure in their Premiership Rugby Cup run – though Irish fell short in the final against Worcester Warriors.

When Irish were suspended from the Premiership in 2023, Joseph made the switch to Harlequins, marking his debut with a try against Gloucester at Kingsholm – a ground he’ll now call home. He made 18 appearances for Quins but is ready for a fresh challenge in cherry and white.

On the international stage, Joseph’s talent has been impossible to ignore. After representing England U18s and U20s, he earned his first senior cap on the 2022 tour of Australia.

Skivington’s verdict: “He’s a real talent”

Gloucester’s Director of Rugby, George Skivington, couldn’t hide his excitement about his latest recruit.

“Will is a really talented young player, and his ability has been clear to see since he burst onto the scene with Irish,” said Skivington.

“We’re pleased to bring him to Kingsholm – he brings a slightly different skill set to the other guys we’ve got there, and we’re excited about how they’ll complement each other.”

Joseph’s message to Gloucester fans

Joseph is already counting down the days until he can run out in front of the famous Shed.

“I’m really looking forward to joining Gloucester Rugby in the summer,” he said.

“After speaking to George, I’m excited about the direction the Club is going in, and I feel like my game suits the way the coaches want to play.

“Kingsholm is a great place to play rugby – I can’t wait to have the Gloucester fans on my side!”

With youth, versatility, and international experience, Joseph’s arrival adds another weapon to Gloucester’s growing arsenal – and the Cherry and Whites faithful will be hoping he can deliver fireworks in midfield.

UPDATED: Foreign-born players in the 2025 Six Nations

The following breakdown, based on data compiled by Americas Rugby News, examines the composition of various national teams, shedding light on the number of foreign-born players and how they qualify for their respective squads.

This international blend underlines rugby’s global nature, with some nations leaning on overseas-born talent more than others. Ahead of round two, we've broken down the squads – and Scotland lead the way by a mile when it comes to foreign-born players.