SUMMER finally comes to an end at Gloucester on Saturday as David Humphreys’ men get back into action for the new campaign.

However, they will not be able to take to the Kingsholm field until October as it is being used as a venue for the Rugby World Cup.

So when Gloucester come out of the changing rooms for their first ‘home’ match of the campaign, it will be at the former home of Bristol Rugby – the Memorial Stadium – in the West Country Challenge which incorporates matches between the Cherry and Whites and South West rivals Bath and Exeter Chiefs.

Head coach Humphreys takes his side to Sandy Park, Exeter, for the first encounter in the new Challenge on Saturday at 4.30pm before they play Bath at the Memorial Stadium on Sunday September 13 and take on Bath again at The Rec on Saturday September 26 at 5.45pm. They also take on Exeter at The Memorial Stadium on Saturday October 3 (3pm).

Gloucester will get into serious Aviva Premiership action on Friday October 16 when they play their first league match of the campaign at Newcastle Falcons.

For some at Kingsholm, the season has already begun but it was not the happiest of times for the club’s Sevens team last week.

They lost their grip on the Singh Premiership Sevens Finals after Welsh region Newport Gwent Dragons gained revenge for losing to the Kingsholm outfit in last year’s final.

Gloucester, coached by former England full-back Olly Morgan, beat Harlequins in a thrilling first match of the finals, held at The Stoop in London, by 31-26.

But they were on the other end of the result when taking on the Dragons in their next match, going down 19-14.

The Dragons eventually went on to beat Wasps in the final to take the trophy and become the first Welsh side to do so when they won 17-14.

* Prop Sila Puafisi has left the club and joined Glasgow Warriors due to an inability to force his way into a regular starting spot.

The Tongan international will move to Scotland once his Rugby World Cup 2015 commitments with Tonga are complete.

The 27-year-old tight-head has been granted an early release from his contract with the Cherry and Whites to make the move north, with Gloucester possessing a number of options in that position in John Afoa, Paul Doran-Jones and Nicky Thomas.

Puafisi signed for Gloucester in November 2013 following the conclusion of Tonga's Autumn international tour that year.  He joined from the Tasman Makos who he had helped to win the 2013 ITM Championship.

In his time at the club, he made 35 appearances in total, including fifteen starts and scored one try.

Director of Rugby David Humphreys explained that the move will offer Puafisi greater playing opportunities.

He said: "Over the past 12 months Sila has been frustrated at the lack of first team opportunities in the Aviva Premiership.

"John Afoa's level of performances during that time have been outstanding and with the new front row signings at Gloucester for the 15/16 season, Glasgow will provide Sila with a new opportunity to further his playing career.

"Everyone at the club has enjoyed working with Sila over the past 20 months and we wish him every success for the future.”