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Darren Dawidiuk has revealed that he found out his eight-year stay at Gloucester was coming to an end at the club’s end of season awards dinner.

It led to a period where the 29-year-old hooker was in limbo, unsure of where he would be playing his rugby next season until he recently signed for newly-promoted Premiership side London Irish.

Despite being shocked and disappointed by his Kingsholm exit, the popular Dawidiuk insists he does not feel bitter and he is grateful that Gloucester gave him the opportunity to play in the top tier of English rugby when they snapped him up from Cornish Pirates in 2009.

“I owe them so much in my life, I’ve done a lot of growing up in Gloucester and made a lot of close friends for life,” said Dawidiuk.

“They gave me a chance to play Premiership rugby so I can’t thank them enough and it was quite sad to leave.

“I didn’t want to leave but it was one of those things where the club didn’t offer me a contract so it’s the way it goes.

“I only found out at the end of season dinner when they announced the players who were going.

“David Humphreys (director of rugby) listed me off so it was a bit of a shock and a sad way to find out I would not be kept on by the club I’d given my all for.

“There’s no point getting upset, it is what it is. If that’s the way the club do things now, maybe it was the right time for me to move on.”

Dawidiuk was given the impression that he was going to be offered a new deal but it was not forthcoming.

“The club said in pre-season that they wanted to keep me on and they liked what I brought to the club but then nothing really happened,” said Dawidiuk.

“After that the communication between the club and myself wasn’t that great.

“I thought I was going to get another contract but they obviously changed their minds.

“I would like to have been told in December to give me an idea of what squad they were trying to build.

“It would’ve been nice to have some honesty, we’re all grown men. Whether it’s bad news or good news just be straight and honest but I’m not bitter towards the club.

“I only think about the good times and the great memories and I can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done.”

Dawidiuk made 146 appearances for Gloucester and had many highlights on and off the pitch, including scoring in the LV=Cup final win over Newcastle in 2011.

“My first start for Gloucester was up there when we played against Leicester at home. It kick-started a two year unbeaten run at home,” he said.

“Winning the LV Cup and the European Challenge Cup were amazing times and the year we finished third was a really good squad effort.

“I remember everyone buying into it and playing their role so it was really good to be part of that year.

“It’s not just the rugby but the social side and the friendships I made.”

For the first time in his eight seasons at Kingsholm, Dawidiuk did not start a Premiership match last season as his chances became limited last season thanks to the form of the ever-present Richard Hibbard and arrival of Samoan international Motu Matu’u but in his final cameo appearance his deft offload set up a consolation try for Ross Moriarty in the European Challenge Cup final defeat to Stade Francais at Murrayfield.

With his future up in the air after that, Dawidiuk remained calm and positive.

He said: “I thought there was no point getting worried so myself and my girlfriend went on holiday.

“When I got back I was just in training and just thought if I keep going and get back in shape you never know, anything can happen and a club could pick up the phone.”

A few weeks later Dawidiuk heard of Irish’s interest and eventually he was approached by their director of rugby Nick Kennedy.

“I went down to Sunbury to have a look around. It was a really positive meeting and I signed the next day,” said Dawidiuk.

“It’s very positive, a happy environment and it’s great to try something fresh.

“I’ve only really known Gloucester. It’s put a bit of fire in my belly.”

Dawidiuk thinks Irish can cause a few shocks on their return to the Premiership and is looking forward to one fixture in particular on December 2, when he could play against Gloucester for the first time at Kingsholm.

He said: “I’m going to be loving it, so hopefully I’ll be involved in that game.”