Somerville needs time, says Ryan

Greg Somerville is due to arrive at Kingsholm in December

Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan does not expect New Zealand prop Greg Somerville to make an instant impact at Kingsholm when he arrives in December.

Somerville, 30, is staying with Canterbury Crusaders in his homeland until the end of their domestic season.

Ryan told BBC Radio Gloucestershire: "No player is capable of just dropping into a new system hoping it goes well.

"So the first month will be an ideal way of integrating him. We won't see the benefits immediately."

Somerville, who turns 31 on 28 November, has signed a two-and-a-half year deal with the Cherry and Whites.

And Ryan is adamant he will give him time to settle in properly at Gloucester, on and off the pitch.

He'll be a long-term investment for us to develop some of the guys around

Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan on Greg Somerville

"Sometimes you can think someone will come and solve some problems straight away but long term you run the risk of injury," Ryan explained.

"Greg's got a family and children so he has got to get that right when he comes over.

"And he's not available for the two European games in December because he has to be our wild card entry for the last two group games in the new year."

Somerville, who can play at loose-head or tight-head, has made 59 appearances for the All Blacks. And Ryan is keen to use some of that experience to aid the development of the younger players in his squad.

"He's a senior player and he's got a lot of influence in the All Black camp," the Gloucester coach added.

"He's not particularly outspoken about anything but he does his job really well and he'll be a long-term investment for us to develop some of the guys."