TOM PALMER, the vastly experienced international second row, is to join Gloucester next season.

Following the signings of John Afoa, Mariano Galarza and Richard Hibbard, Palmer will be another new face in the Gloucester front five next term and will give director of rugby Nigel Davies some enviable options in the second row with James Hudson and Elliott Stooke already under contract.

Palmer started his senior career with Leeds Tykes while he was studying at the University of Leeds, and went on to make 190 appearances for the Headingley-based club.

He then moved to London Wasps, where he played between 2006 and 2009 before spending three seasons with Stade Francais. He returned to Wasps in the summer of 2012 and has made 88 appearances in all competitions.

He has 42 caps for England, making his debut as a replacement for Steve Borthwick in England's victory over the United States in San Francisco on June 16, 2001, and has won a Heineken Cup with Wasps.

Davies said: "Tom played for England just over a year ago, he's a quality player with a proven track record.

"He brings a lot of experience and should be available for the bulk of the season.

"It adds real strength in depth to that area of the squad.

"He also has experience of winning at club level which is important. Tom is still very ambitious.

"Tom is very eager to continue to be successful, and he thinks that coming into the squad at Gloucester next season is going to allow him to be able to do that.”