Alasdair Dickinson has followed his former Edinburgh colleague Alasdair Strokosch by signing a new contract at Gloucester.

The Scotland international prop has completed terms on a new one-year deal for the 2008-09 season following his arrival at Kingsholm from Edinburgh last summer.

Dickinson made his first Guinness Premiership start for Gloucester against Leeds on Saturday following a series of powerful cameo performances from the bench.

In total, the 24-year-old has made nine appearances so far for Gloucester this season and said: "I am pushing myself and testing myself all the time in what is the strongest squad of players I have ever been involved with.

"I am thriving in the environment that has been created at Gloucester and I am positive the best is yet to come from me. There are some outstanding props in the squad and it is my job to push them as hard as I can to gain more exposure in the Guinness Premiership.

"This contract allows me to do that - the move has been fantastic for me because it has speeded up my development. Although I am still learning, there is plenty more to come from me and I look forward to be able to contribute as much as I can for Gloucester this season and next.

"It is a great place to play rugby, the success of the club dominates the whole city and that makes it very special to be a part of."

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