Gloucester Rugby have set up this page to show our support for Ed Slater and his family following his diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Following six months of testing, Ed’s diagnosis was confirmed last week and as a result, with the support of his family, friends and Gloucester Rugby, he has made the difficult decision to retire from professional rugby with immediate effect.

Everyone at Gloucester Rugby - players, management and staff - are entirely committed to supporting Ed, his wife Jo and his three children in whatever way required. We know the same will be true of Gloucester and Leicester fans, and the wider rugby community.

While Ed, his family and the Club take time to determine next steps, Gloucester Rugby have opened this JustGiving page. The direction of these funds will be determined in due course, whether it be supporting Ed and his family directly and/or a selected MND charity.

Neither the club nor the Slater family will be making any further comment at this time and kindly request that those wishes be respected.

For more information on MND please visit www.mndassociation.org.