Gloucester have further bolstered their front-row options with the signing of prop Dan Murphy from London Irish.

The 25-year-old has made 18 European appearances for the Exiles since making his debut in 2006 and follows Italy A prop Dario Chistolini to Kingsholm, who agreed his deal last week.

Gloucester became the first team to qualify for the 2011/12 Heineken Cup following their triumph in the LV = Cup in March.

"He's desperate to do well and pressure Nick Wood and Yann Thomas," said head coach Bryan Redpath.

"He's probably better than third choice which is what he is at the moment. It's a good chance for him.

"We've got Woody, Dan and Yann on the loose-head side, and Dario Chistolini, Rupert Harden and Shaun Knight on the tight head.

"The six are young, so we've got make sure we educate them well about what Gloucester is and what we expect them to be.

"We think we've got people coming into the club who are desperate to improve."