Director of Rugby Alan Solomons spoke to the media today as the squad continue to prepare for the resumption of the 2019/20 Gallagher Premiership season.
Here’s what Alan had to say:
On the return to training after the Coronavirus lockdown
- It has gone very well. We went smoothly from Stage One to Stage Two and we have an excellent COVID management team in Gené Willis, Nick Tait and Peter Kelly.
- The players have bought into the protocols that are in place. They know they have to complete an app before they come in, have their temperature taken and they understand the principle of social bubbles.
On the schedule when the 2019/20 season resumes
- Between August 15 and September 13 we play seven matches so it’s going to test the squad.
- There is no way you can expect players who have played in a match to play in another four or five days later so we, and all clubs, will be utilising our full squad. Fortunately we do have reasonable strength in depth.
- A big factor in preparation for the completion of the 2019/20 season is that we have not been able to play the series of friendlies that we would normally play prior to any competitions. That carries with it an element of risk of injuries but there is no alternative because we have to complete the season.
- These nine games almost become like a pre-season and an opportunity for growth in our squad.
How have Jonathan Thomas, Mark Irish and Matt Sherratt settled in?
- They are a new coaching team who are doing a great job. There is terrific alignment and synergy in the coaching team.
- They have limited time and difficult conditions to get to grips with things but I’m confident that we will make a good fist of it when we start playing.
- They are terrific people, excellent coaches and the players have been very receptive to them.
What will it be like playing behind closed doors?
- It will certainly be a new experience for me. I’ve watched quite a bit of cricket on TV recently and the cricketers seem to have adapted well.
- Yes, it’s strange that there are no spectators watching but the players have just got stuck in.
On Ryan Bower’s move to Leicester
- We have Ethan Waller and Callum Black, who were our numbers one and two last season and we have two young looseheads coming through in Kai Owen and Lewis Holsey who are both terrific prospects.
- Bowser has been a terrific servant for six years and it’s fantastic that he has got this opportunity back at Leicester.
On Billy Searle’s contract extension
- Billy is a 22-year-old English player who we think has got terrific talent hence the reason for extending his initial contract.
Goals for the rest of the 2019/20 season
- We would like to finish in the top eight the consequence of that would be an opportunity for us to play in the European Champions Cup next season.
Ted Hill’s appointment as Club Captain
- I have been really impressed with the way Ted has taken to his responsibilities.
- He is a highly intelligent and articulate young man.
- I coached the University of Cape Town for many years so I am used to 19-20 year-olds coming through and captaining the side.