Gotovtsev joined Gloucester in 2021 and has since played with the Russian flag on his shirt, in line with the club's policy, which since 2015 has allowed its foreign players to wear caps for their country on their Premiership jerseys.

Alongside World Rugby's ban on Russian representation, Gloucester Rugby's belated move also brings the club into line with tennis: since 2023, Wimbledon has insisted that Russian and Belarusian tennis players play as neutral athletes.

Gloucester apologises for the use of a Russian flag on prop Kirill Gotovtsev's club shirt and says it will no longer be featured.

Gloucester have confirmed they will remove the Russian flag displayed on prop Kirill Gotovtsev’s jersey following backlash on social media, and will also remove all flags on jerseys for this weekend’s clash with the Scarlets.