Gloucester Rugby will share in £88million of government support after a year without being able to welcome more than a handful of fans to Kingsholm.

The loan support has been provided by Premiership Rugby as part of the winter phase of the Government's Sport Survival Package.

Since lockdown restrictions were introduced a year ago, a limited number of fans have only been allowed for two trial matches at Kingsholm - both of which were followed by tightened restrictions.

In September, the club's chief executive Lance Bradley warned six months could cost Gloucester £6.2million.

Premiership Rugby chief executive Darren Childs said: "We have now completed almost two full seasons without fans in stadia, with the loss of matchday revenue, and that would not have been financially possible without the help of the Government's Winter Sport Survival Package.

"When the country emerges from the pandemic the Premiership clubs will continue to play a pivotal role in the future health of the nation.

"We see these loans as a vote of confidence in Premiership Rugby and our clubs to be able to fulfil that role."