Cornish Pirates agree deal for Gloucester prop Petch
Cornish Pirates have agreed a deal to sign prop Alfie Petch from Gloucester on a permanent basis for the 2025-26 season.
The 25-year-old played three times for the Championship side on loan earlier this season.
The former England Under-20s player is in his second spell at the Mennaye, having played 23 times in the 2021-22 season while on loan from Exeter.
Since leaving the Devon club in 2022, he has had season-long deals at Northampton, Biarritz and Gloucester.
Petch played eight times for the Cherry and Whites this season, featuring in six of their seven Premiership Rugby Cup matches and also facing Vannes and Bayonne in the European Challenge Cup.
"It's cracking news that Alfie has signed for us," said Cornish Pirates joint head coach Alan Paver.
"He went away and has done some really good stuff playing in the Premiership either side of a spell in France.
"Although still a young man he has acquired considerable experience, and I am sure that someone of his calibre will be beneficial to help bring on the forwards here."
Cornwall-born Petch played 16 Premiership games and three Champions Cup games for Northampton in the 2022-23 season before a stint in France's second tier.
"Cornwall is my home, so I'm delighted to be back," he said.
"I've loved representing this club before and I'm looking forward to doing it again and bringing my experience to the group."
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