Loader's explosive Gloucester return aims to light up Premiership

Gloucester has signed Ben Loader to bolster its wing options ahead of the 2025-26 Premiership season, returning the 25-year-old to English rugby after two years with the Stormers in Cape Town. The move comes as Gloucester prepare to open the campaign with a trip to Sale on Thursday, seeking to rebound from a 2024-25 season in which they narrowly missed the playoffs and saw about 20 players depart. "I'm excited to be back in the Prem," Loader said. "The pull of being back in England and putting my name back in the England hat again is something that's exciting."

Loader, who grew up in the Reading area and blends English and West African heritage, has family roots that he says continue to shape his identity. His mother, Celine, was born in Cameroon, and his brother represents Cameroon in football. Loader spent two years with the Stormers after leaving London Irish in 2023, a spell he describes as transformative for his development and maturity. "The west African history of my family has always been a massive part of mine and my brother's life growing up," he said. "There’s a different feel about the place. I love it. It’s shaped a large part of who I am and it’s something I’m incredibly proud of."

The Stormers chapter, Loader added, came at a time of opportunity and personal growth. He described the move as "hugely exciting for many reasons" and said the experience allowed him to play alongside and against some of the best players in the world. "It came at such a dark time with what happened with Irish," he recalled, underscoring that the decision was about seizing a fresh challenge and accelerating his return to top-level English rugby. "It was an amazing life experience and I got to play rugby with and against some of the best players in the world. I’m super happy I did it and it’s led me here as a result."

Now based in Cheltenham, Loader joins a Gloucester side that impressed with its ball-in-hand style last season but fell short of the playoffs. He says the club’s expansive, attacking game fits his strengths on the wing, even as it demands heavy mileage and consistency. "Being English, the age I am and the advancements I think I made in my game in South Africa, it all meant I wanted to come back," Loader said. "I wanted to be closer to family too. I’m excited to be back in the PREM. The Stormers was a difficult place to leave but I think the time was right. I don’t have any regrets and I’m excited for the new challenge."

Loader has previously represented England at Under-20 level and played for an England XV in a non-cap friendly against the Barbarians at Twickenham in 2019. The 2025-26 season marks another step in his journey back toward the England setup, a path he says remains in sight even as international opportunities hinge on form and fit. "Everyone has international ambitions. Lots of things have to go right for that to materialise. But you have to keep driving towards it," he said.

Gloucester director of rugby George Skivington has long valued Loader’s potential. He said Loader has grown into a mature player capable of delivering week in, week out in the Premiership. "Ben is really exciting. I coached him at Irish when he first came out of the academy and I remember everyone thought he was going to be the real deal. He played very well for Irish and then had a different experience in South Africa which was brilliant for him. He comes back to the PREM a man now. He has all the potential in the world and could go on to bigger and better things if he can deliver in the PREM week in, week out. I know he was on the England radar previously. I think he could very easily find his way back on it. The Gloucester faithful can get really excited about him."

Gloucester’s squad rebuild continues as they prepare for a season in which the club hopes a blend of youth and experience, including Loader, Will Joseph and Ross Byrne, can propel them back into contention. The opening fixture against Sale will test whether Gloucester can translate offseason optimism into results on the field. Meanwhile, Loader’s return to English rugby underscores a broader narrative: players increasingly view South Africa as a proving ground, then bring that sharpened edge back to England as they pursue domestic and international opportunities. In Loader’s case, the journey is about more than a fresh start; it’s about harnessing a multicultural identity and a high-velocity game as Gloucester looks to re-establish itself among English rugby’s elite.