GLOUCESTER have added to their front row strength in depth for next season with the signings of Paul Doran-Jones (Harlequins), Paddy McAllister (Aurillac) and Nicky Thomas (Ospreys).

Although there will be no breaks in the Aviva Premiership fixture calendar next season while the Rugby World Cup takes place – underlining the need for greater strength in depth among squads – the triple signing will undoubtedly put pressure on the current props in the squad, Nick Wood, Yann Thomas, Sila Puafisi and Dan Murphy.

Doran-Jones, of course, will be returning to Kingsholm having played his club rugby in Gloucester colours from 2009-2011.

It was a productive spell for the 29-year-old. He made 49 competitive appearances for the first team and earned his first caps for England.

He left Gloucester for a spell with Northampton Saints before moving to Harlequins.

A former Ireland U20s international, McAllister started his career with Ballynahinch and made a big impression at Ulster, featuring regularly in the Pro 12 and Heineken Cup until suffering a knee injury in 2012.

He moved to Aurillac last summer where has been coached by another former Ulster player, Jeremy Davidson.

Meanwhile, 20-year-old Nicky Thomas moves over the Severn Bridge to join Gloucester from the Ospreys.

He was part of a powerful Wales pack at the Junior World Championships in New Zealand last summer, and has progressed through the Ospreys Academy under the guidance of former Gloucester favourite Mefin Davis, earning considerable playing time with Swansea RFC.

"It's very important that we have strength in depth in all positions next season, even more so than usual with the way the fixture schedule is shaping up," insisted director of rugby David Humphreys.

"All three will bring something different to the squad. Paul is primarily a tight-head who can cover the other side of the scrum. Paddy is a loose-head who has turned out at tight-head, and Nicky is a tight-head who is very highly thought of in Wales.

"They all come here with something to prove. Paul probably played his best rugby here and will be looking to recapture that, Paddy is getting back to his best after his knee injury and Nicky is looking to get an opportunity at a senior level.

"With the players we already have under contract in the front row next season, we now have some genuine options at our disposal.”