Ollie Thorley: Gloucester winger returns from long-term injury

Thorley has been described as “Gloucester through-and-through” by director of rugby George Skivington, having been at the club since the age of 14.

The 2025-26 campaign will be the 28-year-old’s 13th for the club after coming through the academy and making his debut aged just 17, becoming the youngest Gloucester player in the professional era.

“When you’re not playing the game it just reminds you how grateful I am to play a sport I love,” Thorley said.

“Rugby is a sport that demands resilience. It doesn’t matter who you are, at some time in your career you’re going to have challenges whether that’s off the pitch or on the pitch, or through injury or your personal life or your performances.

“I view this as just another challenge, it’s been a very hard one but I’m ready to go again.”

Thorley’s time on the sidelines was made more challenging by the fact Gloucester evolved into one of the most dynamic attacking squads in the league last season.

The club began implementing a more expansive, running rugby style last summer – a style that suits a fast-paced winger like Thorley – and ended the season in the top three of clubs for average points and tries scored per game.

In two of the four games he started, Thorley was top for most defenders beaten (12) and line breaks (four) of all players across the league in round four and most metres made (141), defenders beaten (11) and line breaks (four) in round six according to stats from Oval Insights.

“Running rugby’s my game, I’m dangerous with the ball in hand,” he said.

“It was frustrating at times but I think you have to kind of bottle that frustration and save it up for when you get your opportunities.

“I really enjoyed watching the guys last year and hopefully we can reproduce some of that rugby again this year.”