Ryan Walkinshaw was nine when his father bought into Gloucester Rugby

The Walkinshaw family say they will not be selling their majority stake in Gloucester Rugby Club.

The club's owner, Tom Walkinshaw, died on Sunday but his eldest son Ryan is to move on to the board at Kingsholm.

The 23-year-old told BBC Radio Gloucestershire: "I want to squash any rumours the family are selling as it is not the case at all.

"We are fully committed to Gloucester and always have been. Dad always said it was a family business."

He added: "He always brought us up with the idea that it was ours as well as his."

Walkinshaw said the board would appoint a chairman to succeed his late father in due course.

"It's a decision we are discussing at the moment, and that's not been concluded yet," he added.

"There are a few candidates, but it won't be myself I don't think. It would be irresponsible to throw me straight in there. It's something as a board we need to sit down, discuss and vote upon."

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