Gloucester
Club Details
Kingsholm
Kingsholm Road
Gloucester
GL1 3AX
Stadium Capacity: 16,500
Website: www.gloucesterrugbyclub.com
Founded: 1873
- 2009/10 Season Preview -
Last year: The so-called Kings of the Regular Season were left licking their wounds after missing out on both English and European knockout places at the conclusion of 2008/09. What went wrong remains unclear but what is apparent is that the wheels well and truly came off in a late-season slide that ultimately cost Head Coach Dean Ryan and a clutch of players their roles at Kingsholm. There was in-house and also public criticism of players, Olly Barkley missing and eventually heading home to Bath, while injuries to key players such as Gareth Delve, Akapusi Qera and Mike Tindall left them short of some much-needed grunt. A year to forget.
This year: For the past few years Gloucester have always been thought of as pre-season favourites in the Guinness Premiership before something tripped up their charge when the knockout games mattered most - the 2007/08 loss to Munster at home rings as the loudest bell. But this time around there has been little build-up and expectation in their corner so who knows what that could lead to? Once again a strong squad is assembled and with their clever acquisitions replacing some possible stragglers, they will strangely be entering as an underdog challenger despite last season's woes.
Coach: There is a new man at the Gloucester helm after Dean Ryan's time in charge drew to an acrimonious close during the off-season. His then assistant Bryan Redpath is now tasked with turning huge squad potential into trophies. Could the former Scotland international scrum-half's youth and communication with his senior personnel could prove to be the much sought-after key?
Captain: England outside centre Mike Tindall will be looking for an injury-free stretch in the Cherry and White jersey this season. His power with ball in-hand has never been questioned but since that Rugby World Cup 2003 combination with Will Greenwood, there is no doubt his all-round game has taken a slight dip. Now is the time for him to step up to the plate.
One to watch: Number eight Gareth Delve's rise into the Wales reckoning has been blighted by a succession of injuries over the past few years, but his potential has never been questioned. Great off the base and with skills that many loose forwards would kill for, his rotation with the equally impressive Luke Narraway will be vital to Gloucester.
Ins: Dave Attwood (Bristol Rugby), Pierre Capdevielle (Brive), Darren Dawidiuk (Cornish Pirates), Paul Doran-Jones (London Welsh), Eliota Fuimaono (Bath), Rupert Harden (Tynedale), Nicky Robinson (Cardiff Blues), Tom Voyce (London Wasps), Tim Molenaar (Nottingham)
Outs: Jack Adams (Bristol), Anthony Allen (Leicester Tigers), Iain Balshaw (Biarritz Olympique), Olly Barkley (Bath), Gareth Cooper (Cardiff Blues), Mark Foster (Exeter Chiefs), Jack Forster (Sale Sharks), Ryan Lamb (London Irish), Ross McMillan (Coventry), Carlos Nieto (Saracens), Dan Norton (Bristol), Willie Walker (Worcester Warriors), Dave Young (Edinburgh).
Squad: Dave Atwood, Olivier Azam, Marco Bortolami, Alex Brown, Freddie Burns, Peter Buxton, Pierre Capdevielle, Darren Dawiduik, Gareth Delve, Alasdair Dickinson, Paul Doran-Jones, Adam Eustace, Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, Rupert Harden, Andrew Hazell, Will James, Rory Lawson, Dave Lewis, Olly Morgan, Luke Narraway, Jordi Pasqualin, Akapusi Qera, Nicky Robinson, Apolosi Satala, Charlie Sharples, James Simpson-Daniel, Greg Somerville, Carlos Spencer, Alasdair Strokosch, Yann Thomas, Mike Tindall, Henry Trinder, Lesley Vainikolo, Tom Voyce, Dan Williams, Nick Wood.