GLOUCESTER Rugby players have taken the plunge this Valentine’s Day, by going the full monty in aid of a charity calendar.

The premiership rugby team have used today’s famously raunchy date to launch their very own Calendar Girls-esque Valentine’s Calendar, full to the brim with images including classic prop cover ups, hilarious implied nudes and a cheeky bare bottom, or ten.

The squad, who are currently third in the league, were keen to do something bold to raise money for the Gloucester Rugby Foundation, their charity which aims to engage, educate and inspire the local community to bring about positive social impact and new opportunities through sport.

The calendar, which begins on today (14th February 2022) and runs through 13 months (instead of a traditional 12) to the 14th February 2023, is a colourful, fun, rugby inspired interpretation of the 2003 Helen Mirren classic, The Calendar Girls.

The photoshoot used a combination of props such as desk chairs, shelving and ladders, as well as some fantastic location shots in the tunnel, the dug out and pitch side at Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester.

Lewis Ludlow, captain of the Cherry and Whites said: “We spend a lot of time working with our community to help make positive changes to the lives of youngsters in the area, but it all costs money.

"We wanted to make a big splash so we can help even more people, and someone came up with the idea of a calendar. The players were all well up for it, and it was actually pretty funny shooting it on the day.”

Alex Brown, COO at Gloucester Rugby supported this fundraising initiative.

He said: “We hope this calendar is well supported by our community in helping to raise funds for the Gloucester Rugby Foundation.

"It has been fantastic to see the team so prepared to partake in this ‘alternative’ but fun way of raising awareness and donations for this important cause. It is their way of giving back to the community; we have also been very fortunate to have BiGDUG’s support in this fundraising collaboration.”

The calendars have been produced and donated by BiGDUG and are available to purchase online for £10.99 (£4.99 with £6 delivery) at bit.ly/3uIb374 with 100% of the proceeds going to the Gloucester Rugby Foundation.