NEWCOMERS Sione Kalamafoni, Rob Cook and Dan Robson have helped Gloucester hit new levels this season, believes Nigel Davies.
The trio of impressive performers typify the impact the Gloucester boss wants from new arrivals and developing youngsters.
Rugby director Davies hailed the impact of all three, who have impressed consistently in their first full senior campaign at Kingsholm.
Bulldozing back-rower Kalamafoni has blasted craters all over the Premiership this turn, carrying far more ball than any other Gloucester man.
The Tongan loose-forward has taken the step up from the Championship in his imposing stride – even scooping the season ticket holders' player of the year award.
Full-back Cook made a measured start to life at Kingsholm, purposely finding his Premiership bearings on his initial outings after joining from Championship club Cornish Pirates last summer.
The 28-year-old has improved week on week though, to the point where he was shredding Saracens' defensive line time and again in Gloucester's 28-23 victory over the league leaders last weekend.
Gloucester academy graduate Robson has muscled his way in as a regular at scrum-half this term, impressing across the board with his accuracy and high tempo.
Stoke-on-Trent-born Robson has battled well with World Cup winner Jimmy Cowan and Dave Lewis, who will now head to Exeter for next term.
While Kalamafoni claimed the player of the year award, Robson was voted as the young player of the campaign.
Davies believes all three stars have made a big Kingsholm impression – and only expects them to be even better next year.
He explained: "There's three effective new signings this year that have brought a lot to us.
"Sione has been fantastic, Rob Cook has added a lot to us, and Dan Robson, though not a new arrival, he's had his first extended opportunity really.
"The three of them have just added to what this squad is and can be.
"Rob brings huge value to the team.
"There's a lot of X-factor players, but just throwing all those players onto the field doesn't always work.
"Rob came in and just knitted everything together, he's so solid at the back there.
"And we've seen as well that he's got his own attacking game, he was very effective to us there against Saracens again.
"Sione's ball-carrying abilities speak for themselves, but he's a very smart player and he has really made a huge impact this season. For someone to step straight into the Premiership and play the way he has, it just shows all the qualities he possesses.
"And I'm sure he'll be even stronger next season.
"We've been delighted with Dan's progress too, for someone battling for chances at the start of the year he's come through extremely strongly.
"These players have really added a level to us, and I am sure they will continue to progress and improve."
Admitting the three players have set a high benchmark for immediate Kingsholm impact, Davies said there is no reason why plenty others cannot follow suit.
He continued: "That's what we want from young developing players, new arrivals and also seasoned campaigners.
"There's nothing to stop any of the players at whatever point of their development really, within reason, to stamp their authority over what we do. That's one of the exciting things about where we are, that players will have opportunities.
"And hopefully we'll see more players coming through with big impacts next season and beyond."
