Q - switching sides

By Cherry Picker
November 7 2012

Gloucester get another chance to test the club's strength in depth when they begin a three-game break from the Premiership this week, two matches in the LV= Cup sandwiching a midweek friendly against mighty Fiji.

And the Kingsholm coaching staff are determined to make sure that the players given a chance to show what they can do, do so for the team rather than themselves.

Asking a player who is not a regular not to try to take a claim on a higher squad profile is a strange request, and one that in many cases will not get the response required.

But forward coach Carl Hogg has done it anyway.

He told the Citizen: "One of the main things we'll be telling the players this week is that the team comes first. People are desperate to do well as individuals, but we need to play well collectively.

"Decisions must be based on the team first.”

"If the team performs then as an individual they have a platform to perform themselves.

"A lot of guys have contributed in a big way to the success of our season so far.

"Anything we've achieved we've done so as an entire squad, not just the players that have been involved in each specific game.

"This will be a similar group to the players who went to Mont de Marsan and battled hard for a good victory over there.

"The French side were very physical, and it will be another similar challenge at the Ospreys on Friday.”

That game is followed next Tuesday with a Kingsholm game against Fiji, then London Welsh are in town on Saturday November 17 in another LV= game.

November ends with the third home game on the trot when bottom club Sale Sharks are at Kingsholm as the Premiership makes a comeback … whether Bryan Redpath is still with them then remains to be seen after John Mitchell stated that he might stay in South Africa after all.

Meanwhile, Akapusi Qera is going to have a confusing week. After initially stating that he would stay with Glaws rather than play for Fiji in the autumn international, he was called up by his national side because of injuries and is likely to play against England this weekend.

However, that is just a one-off game for him and he could be back with Glaws to face his Fiji mates on Tuesday night.

Triple test for Glaws strength in depth

Discussion started by Shedloads (IP Logged), 07/11/2012 10:53

Shedloads
07/11/2012 10:53

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

Reply Quote Report

Message List Search Log In

Your Name:
Subject:

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net