INSTALLING a new irrigation system at Kingsholm will help Nigel Davies push Gloucester's brand of rugby forward next season, believes Stephen Vaughan.
Managing director Vaughan said Gloucester had to speculate to accumulate to produce one of the best pitches in the Premiership next term.
Vaughan hopes a fast track will equal fast, flowing rugby next year.
And to that end he said the Cherry and Whites had little hesitation tearing up the Kingsholm pitch – to help rugby director Davies' squad produce an exciting and decisive approach.
Vaughan explained: "It was a bit of a no-brainer really, groundsman Dave Balmer and his guys have done an incredible job on the pitch this season.
"And honestly speaking, towards the end of the year it's probably been the best surface that I've seen, with the exception of Saracens for obvious reasons.
"You could argue that it didn't need to be done just yet.
"But it's like a carpet, if you trample on it and spill enough red wine on it, eventually you're going to need to change it.
"And with the Rugby World Cup in the back of our minds, it pushed us over the edge to decide we needed to invest.
"So we're installing a completely new irrigation and sprinkler system, to ensure that we've got a fantastic surface for the style of rugby that Nigel and his backroom staff want to play next season and beyond."
Expecting another set of solid club accounts, Vaughan said long-term planning and investment are vital to keep Gloucester robust in both balance sheets and league standings.
He added: "It's certainly a little bit more expensive than replacing your carpet!
"But our financial numbers should be finalised again in the next few months, and we find ourselves in rude health once more.
"We're carrying on from the good work of previous years, and that's allowing us to pay to the full salary cap which is so important."
