Carl Fearns – I’m looking to tear it up at Gloucester with Ross

Carl Fearns has revealed his ambition to form an aggressive new back row partnership with Ross Moriarty to help reawaken the sleeping giant of Gloucester.
In doing so, the destructive 27-year-old is aiming to revive his own international ambitions that have lain dormant since he headed to Lyon from Bath in 2015.
Fearns, who operates across the back row, will join Gloucester next summer after impressing for the Top 14 newcomers and is relishing the Kingsholm challenge.
He told The Rugby Paper: “Gloucester are like a sleeping giant of English rugby and by their own admission they haven’t had the best few seasons so, hopefully, I can go in there, work really hard and help them achieve their ambitions.
“One of the main reasons I’m coming back is the form I’m showing in the Top 14.
“I feel that I’m good enough to play Test rugby and if I want to do that I need to be in England.
“What also excites me, if I get the opportunity, is to play alongside Ross Moriarty.
“I’ve watched a lot of him and really like the way he plays; he’s quite aggressive like myself and the possibility of us playing together is really appealing.”
Liverpudlian enforcer Fearns sees himself as a viable contender for England honours and wishes to stake a claim ahead of the 2019 World Cup.
He explained: “I can play anywhere across the back row and if Gloucester or England want a destructive, ball-carrying, tackling No.7, I’d put myself up there.
“Everyone goes on about needing a fetcher but the modern day back row needs to be destructive and add something more than just making tackles and getting over the ball.”
Fearns was voted Lyon’s player-of-the-year last season and is determined to end his brief spell in France in style.
He added: “We’re getting better and better each game and I think we’ve shocked a few people.
“I want to help us push for the play-offs and do as much as I can to turn a few heads and get people talking about how well I’m playing.”
NEALE HARVEY