Head Coach Jonathan Thomas spoke to the media today ahead of Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership match at Harlequins.
Here’s what Jonathan had to say:
On beating London Irish
- Every team feels a little bit anxious before round one because everyone wants to win and get a good start to the season so to get that win was hugely encouraging.
- One of the things that cost us last season was taking opportunities. I was pleased that in our pre-season games and again on Saturday that we took our opportunities.
- We are not getting to carried away though. It just one win and while we are pleased, we know that there is still a huge amount of growth in the squad and a lot of hard work to do to be the team we want to be.
On facing Harlequins
- We are very excited about the opportunity to go down there and play the defending champions in their first home match since they won the title.
- I’m sure that there will be a carnival atmosphere in the crowd and we are excited at the opportunity for us to take part in that occasion.
On Ted Hill and Ollie Lawrence being selected by England
- I am really pleased for both of them. They have trained the house down in pre-season, they were involved in the summer internationals and I hope that they impress Eddie Jones at the training camp.
- Wouldn’t it be fantastic to see them both at the forefront in the Autumn Internationals?
- It’s important for us that we produce international players. It also means that our younger players see Ted and Ollie and know that f they work as hard and carry themselves as they do that they can also fulfil their dreams.
- It also helps to inspire our community and our supporters that we have got home-grown players representing their country.
On Chris Pennell joining Dallas Jackals
- It’s a really exciting opportunity for Chris and his young family. Dallas have got someone who is totally committed to the cause.
- He showed at the end of last season that he is still as fit as the young lads and he’s a hugely committed and loyal player.
Injuries
- Melani Nanai has a sore Achilles tendon and will be assessed on Thursday
- Willi Heinz cramped up on Saturday but he is absolutely fine
- Sione Vailanu sustained a minor calf injury against Connacht. We hope he will be fit to play against Gloucester next week.
- Ashley Beck has recovered from the concussion he suffered against Glasgow Warriors
- Andrew Kitchener is tracking well and could be back for Gloucester.
- Anton Bresler is still recovering from the foot injury he sustained at the end of last season and is at least a month away.
- Chris Ashton trained fully today following his calf injury and it was good to see him running in hard for the first time in a while. He won’t be available on Saturday against Gloucester as we are treating it almost like a player coming back from a long-term injury.
When are Rory Sutherland and Duhan van der Merwe likely to make their debuts?
- Both of them have come back from a very arduous tour with the British and Irish Lions and a very long season.
- They have both had a holiday and it’s important that we set them up to succeed which means that are match-ready to play.
- That is an on-going assessment we will make. We hope that one of them will contribute in the Gloucester game, but I am not going to say which one.
Players on loan with other clubs
- We take the approach that we want our young players to be playing rugby and so a number of them are on loan/dual registrations at the moment.
- I see the loan system as a positive thing because young men need to play rugby and there have been limited opportunities for them to do that in the past 18 months with no Premiership Rugby Cup or Shield and no competitive rugby below the Championship.
- We have three players on loan with Ampthill including Fin Smith who is one of the best young numbers tens in the country.
- At Ampthill he will be playing under the guidance of Paul Turner, a former international fly-half. It’s not a long-term thing but it will be a positive experience that will benefit Fin’s experience.