Dickinson has impressed since joining Gloucester two years ago and joins Olivier Azam in extending his stay at Kingsholm.

Head coach Bryan Redpath said: "Both players have been integral squad members over the past couple of seasons and will have a big part to play this season.

"We've added a few young up-and-coming players to our front-row resources this season so their know-how will be crucial."

Gloucester were thumped 50-12 by Cardiff in last season's EDF Energy Cup final, prompting then head coach Dean Ryan to declare the squad needed radical surgery if they were to challenge for silverware.

Several players - among them Ryan Lamb, Anthony Allen and Olly Barkley - were released while Ryan himself departed last month.

However, Dickinson has done enough to earn himself another deal at the club he joined from Edinburgh in the summer of 2007.

Dundee-born Dickinson, who made his Scotland debut in the 2007 World Cup against New Zealand, became an integral part of the Gloucester team last season, making 20 appearances.

The 25-year-old also made his first start in the RBS 6 Nations this year and went on to play in all five of Scotland's matches in the tournament.