Lead Rugby Consultant Steve Diamond spoke to the media today ahead of Friday’s Gallagher Premiership match against Gloucester Rugby at Kingsholm (kick-off 7.45pm).
Here’s what Steve had to say:
On the Premiership Rugby Cup match against Exeter Chiefs
- We were worthy of two points and it was a good performance all round over the two weeks. We just couldn’t game manage it in the last ten minutes.
- We now go to Bath next week and the lads who have done well in the cup will get the opportunity to continue.
- It’s a development competition by and large but I will never say never to the chance of a semi-final.
- There’s a real good determination about the group at the moment which is good to see and the two points at Exeter have put us top of our pool.
- It was a good learning experience for some of the younger players and others, like Will Chudley, got some valuable game time.
On Gloucester
- They are going well at the moment. They are well-coached like the Gloucester of old with a good maul, a good forward pack, an exciting back three and good half-backs.
- Their strengths are their driving maul and their back three. They have scored 20-plus tries from their driving maul this season and if we don’t kick accurately and kick into the hands of their back three they will runs us ragged.
- We have got to play a controlled game and we have to make sure that the ball doesn’t go off the field too much because their lineout is immense.
On playing at Kingsholm
- It’s a great rugby environment. They are a very passionate crowd if you are a Gloucester player. If you aren’t then it’s one of those places where you like to go and turn the crowd against the home team if you can.
Injuries
- Kyle Hatherell will be involved this weekend.
- Rory Sutherland is fit and will be involved this weekend.
- Duhan van der Merwe has completed his World Rugby course so he will be back this weekend.
- Ollie Lawrence is still two to three weeks away. He is rehabbing from a reoccurrence of a hamstring injury.
- Francois Venter, Owen Williams and Sam Lewis are not available this weekend.
On Lekima Ratuvu who played at Exeter
- When someone knocks on your door and asks for an opportunity you give them one.
- He had an opportunity on Saturday, he’s training with us again this week and he will get another opportunity next week.