Gloucester centre Tim Molenaar became the latest member of the current playing squad to commit to the Premiership side when he signed a new two-year contract with the club.

Molenaar putting pen to paper is the latest in a series of players agreeing new contracts with the club in the past few months following the likes of Charlie Sharples, Jim Hamilton, Henry Trinder, Will James and Olly Morgan.

The 30-year-old New Zealand born centre has been a robust figure in the Gloucester midfield since joining from Nottingham in the summer of 2009, no mean feat given the competition for places in this area.

This season has been a frustrating one for the midfileder to date as he has yet to feature in first team action following surgery on a torn pectoral muscle suffered in pre-season training.

However, he is now nearing full fitness and a possible first team return and admitted that the offer of a new contract was a welcome boost.

He said: "I was obviously delighted when the club approached me about a new contract. I've been out for a while and it was a massive boost when Brush told me that he wanted me to stay.”

"I've loved my time here since moving down from Nottingham and signing the new deal was a no brainer to be honest. Hopefully I'm not too far away from being able to start making a contribution this season and beginning to repay the faith that Gloucester have shown in me," he added.