'They will get over it' - Banahan gets shock hairdo at hands of teammates

Even in professional rugby initiations are still part of the culture - just ask Gloucester's summer signing Matt Banahan.

The former Bath stalwart shocked many in the game when he made a switch to West Country rivals Gloucester.

And it won't be long until Banahan revisits the Rec. Gloucester Rugby will take on the Saints at Kingsholm on Saturday September 1st before the giant wing will return to the Rec for the first time as the Cherry and Whites travel to Bath.

Despite being a former rival, it hasn't taken long for the Jerseyman to be accepted into the fold.

The 6'7 wing tweeted a picture after an initiation at the hands of his new teammates, and it's left his children rather non-plussed.

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Banahan said: "Don’t think the kids agree with the initiation, they will get over it and learn".

The severity of the haircut has been made all the worse by the contrast between his tanned face and the milk pale colour of his scalp. Matt Kevesic seemed to like it though.

The 31-year-old veteran back will be looking to make an impact at his new club, who will be eager to utilise his versatility across the backline.

The Jersey-born flyer operates mainly on the wing, but is able to play across the back three and in midfield, and has proved himself to be one of Aviva Premiership Rugby’s most potent attackers since making his debut at The Rec in 2006.

Banahan has racked up over 250 appearances to date for Bath Rugby. His form in the Blue, Black and White has seen him pick up 16 caps for England, featuring in the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

Standing at 6'7” and weighing over 110kg, Banahan combines pace, power and size, with quality skills in the air, and an eye for the try line, causing havoc for defences in a quality Bath backline in recent seasons, and will now continue his career at Kingsholm.

Having joined Bath in 2006 as a forward, Jersey-born Banahan was moved to the wing by former coach Brian Ashton. Named in the wider England Sevens squad in 2007, Banahan then represented England Saxons three times in 2008, before making his senior debut in 2009 against Argentina. He went on to earn 16 caps for England, including being selected for the 2011 World Cup squad.