JEREMY THRUSH is ready to put the disappointment of missing out on the Rugby World Cup behind him and relaunch his career in Gloucester.

Thrush flew in from New Zealand on Friday and could make his debut as early as this Saturday when the club begin their defence of the European Challenge Cup against Zebre on Saturday.

Thrush, 30, watched his team-mates crash to a 23-3 defeat at Wasps at the weekend and is set to earn an early call-up when the Italian side visit Kingsholm.

Thrush has won 11 caps for the All Blacks and had hoped to be part of their successful World Cup squad but missed out when the management opted to include just three specialist locks – Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock and Luke Romano.

Thrush said: "At the beginning of the year I thought it would be good to go out with the All Blacks at the World Cup, but I narrowly missed out on that through the way they picked the squad.

"So with the young talent coming through in New Zealand it was probably time to go and experience something else.

"It's good to get out of my comfort zone. I had been playing in Wellington for 11 years, either with Wellington Lions or Super Rugby with the Hurricanes.

"I've heard a lot about Kingsholm, I know we get a lot of support which is fantastic – it's always good to go to a ground that's full.

"I'm pretty happy to debut at home and it will be exciting playing in a new competition. There will be a few nerves there but I'm really looking forward to having a crack and seeing what it's all about."

Gloucester's options in the second row have also been boosted by the signing of another Kiwi, Joe Latta, from Super Rugby Champions, the Highlanders.

Latta, 23, is set to join up with his new team-mates in the next few days, and will arrive after a spell playing for Otago who finished third in this year's ITM Championship in New Zealand.

Share article His signing, combined with the recent arrival of Thrush will give Gloucester strength in depth at second row especially with Argentinian international Mariano Galarza set to return shortly from suspension.

Latta stands at 6ft 6in tall, and represented the New Zealand in the World Rugby U20 Championship in 2012.