The 31-year-old has vast experience of playing rugby in the second tier, as captain of Gloucester’s neighbouring club.
He has featured for the Cherry and Whites once before, coming on as a replacement for 14 minutes in a Prem game in 2020.
But after being called-up for a three-week emergency loan after Christmas, going on to play the full 80 minutes against Newcastle Red Bulls in the Prem and 65 against Edinburgh in the Champions Cup last weekend, marks a significant level up.
This Saturday, he could start against four-times European Cup champions Toulon, when the French giants visit Kingsholm.
“I got a call off George [Skivington, Gloucester director of rugby] when I was out walking the dogs and he explained the scenario that Gloucester were in and asked me to come in for a few weeks to provide a bit of cover while Hartpury’s got a bit of a break,” Crane said.
“[I] jumped at the chance in playing a bit of rugby.”
His appearance against Newcastle was a novel one beyond the gravitas of the game as it was the first time he had seen his surname printed on the back of a shirt.
“I took a quick snap and sent it to a couple of people, I was like ‘yeah, that’s wicked,'” Crane said
