Big Les

By Cherry Picker
October 31 2008

Lesley Vainikolo, the latest Gloucester player to have his collar felt, keeps his place in the team that travels to take on Newcastle in their latest EDF game on Sunday. Big Les has been bailed by police after an incident in Bath last weekend, but coach Dean Ryan is happy to keep him in a team that also sees the return of Nick Wood and Ryan Lamb. Ryan makes six changes from the team that beat Dragons last weekend, Lamb returnbing after missing one game and Wood (right) making his comeback after being on the sidelines throughout October.
Also back in the pack are Andy Titterrell and Alex Brown, whose return allows Marco Bortolami to take a rest after six consecutive games in the second row.
Willie Walker switches from stand-off to full-back, releasing Iain Balshaw to move back to the wing.
Ryan told the Citizen: "In a lot of ways we are probably working harder on aspects of our game than we did last year. We have become better at certain things but maybe not felt the benefit of them.
"It's important we don't lose sight of that because we are a good side that is looking for the right balance to become successful over the long term.
"We haven't played as well as we would have liked and we recognise that fact but the positive thing from our point of view is that we can get better.
"We want to do well in every game we play, regardless of the competition and that obviously makes Sunday's game very important. We want to get into a position where we are contesting knockout games.
"There are obviously some injuries in and around the squad but we have a good side available to us."
GLAWS: Willie Walker, Iain Balshaw, Mike Tindall, Olly Barkley, Lesley Vainikolo; Ryan Lamb, Gareth Cooper; Nick Wood, Andy Titterrell, Carlos Nieto, Adam Eustace, Alex Brown, Peter Buxton, Andy Hazell, Alasdair Strokosch. Reps: Olivier Azam, Alasdair Dickinson, Marco Bortolami, Apo Satala, Dave Lewis, Jack Adams, Charlie Sharples.
Newcastle have problems of their own, and they give a debut to Tongan centre Tane Tu'ipulotu, who arrived from Wellington in New Zealand this week.

Les plays, Wood and Lamb back in EDF

Discussion started by Shedloads (IP Logged), 31/10/2008 12:22

Shedloads
31/10/2008 12:22

Les plays, Wood and Lamb back in EDF

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cheerycherry
31/10/2008 12:34

Im a lot happier now Glaws' casualty ward is emptying. It is a very strong XV and upto them now to go win the game well and show Glaws deserve to be in the semi's.

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Two Sheds
31/10/2008 14:24

Too right ... Falcons have problems on and off the pitch, it appears, and anything less than a Glaws win would be a major disappointment.

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