Gloucester sign Western Force hooker Nathan Charles

Charles made his Western Force debut in 2010

Gloucester have signed hooker Nathan Charles on a short-term contract.

The 22-year-old Australian has been drafted in from Super Rugby side Western Force.

Gloucester have been forced to find a replacement hooker for their pre-season campaign after Matias Cortese required minor knee surgery.

And with Scott Lawson on international duty with Scotland, Koree Britton and Darren Dawidiuk were their only available options.

"Nathan's a very highly rated hooker in Australia," said head coach Bryan Redpath.

"We're fortunate to be able to bring him in to cover Matias' absence.

"We had to act because if anything happened to Koree or Darren in the pre-season games, we'd have no hooker cover for the start of the Premiership season. So, it'll be good to have him on board."