Kingsholm Virtual Inn- come on in.

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Gloucester fans need somewhere to chat over a (an imagined) pint of Rucking Mole or Doombar.
Come on in fellas and ladies, take a seat.
Away fans welcome too.
What's happening then at GRFC & Kingsholm ?
Gossip, scuttlebutt, salacious rumour, even rubgy news - share it here.
Lord Leveson has not discovered 606, so you may speak easy here.
Seasonal mince pies & cognac available in nearby Gtown.
Merry Christmas to all our visitors.

I like the 'forward' calls near the end
3 Shark successive passes:

Forward !

.... Forward !

...........FORWARD !


They were as well. Ref had to blow in the end.

LOCAL NEWS
The situation is nowhere near as severe as in 2007, but the seasonal flooding is as bad as it has been seen for several years.
Gloucester All Blues RFC, based in Castlemeads Way, has appealed for help to save its kit and equipment as flood waters advance on its club house.
The water has not yet entered, but volunteers are aiming to move all the kit to safety by lunchtime.
New Start Cat Rescue in Malswick, Newent, has had to move all its animals to safety after flood waters rushed into their pens.

Sharples and Wood back to Glos, Burns and Morgan retained.

Apparently Burns has said to Nigel Davies that if he only plays 10-20 mins for England can he play for Glaws on Sunday.

Would not make sense to start him on Sunday - but putting him on the bench may be a good idea.

Now that's proper dedication by Burns, old school style!! I can remember playing for school on a friday night then had a half for lydney colts the next day, couldn't walk come sunday!!

My nephew is currently playing at hooker for school on saturdays and no8 for club on sundays. He just wants to play

I know that at tigers we have sometimes had england bench players on our bench the following day. (Pretty sure someone flew back from Paris on the Saturday evening to be available).

LondonTiger wrote:Would not make sense to start him on Sunday - but putting him on the bench may be a good idea.

Agree. I'm sure the backs will have been practicing all week with 36 at FH, so clearly Freddie could fit straight back in, in terms of continuity it is far better to have him on the bench. It also gives us a great impact sub if we need it.

Must admit I'm getting slightly nervous about these Jim Hamilton rumours as more and more publications are stating it's true (http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/AU-REVOIR-BIG-JIM/story-17522544-detail/story.html?sp=normal&1354863093947).

I personally see no reason why the club should allow this. He has 18 months to go on his contract and any transfer fee received cannot go on a new player unless it too is spent as a transfer fee.

This explains a lot:

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/Jim-Hamilton-leave-Gloucester-Rugby-French/story-17522544-detail/story.html

In other news, Jonny's return is imminent :

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/Eureka-moment-able-hit-speed-comeback-trail/story-17511097-detail/story.html

It will certainly be a long 2 week injury period he's had! We've definitely missed him and now it's time for him to find his specialist role. I do fear the worst for Olly Morgan (and Alex Brown), so I feel May should focus on FB.

Interesting. I really like Cook at FB, May recently said he sees himself as Tindall's understudy which makes me think he wants to play 13. I think he's better on the wing/13, as he only played FB when we were desperate for replacement.

I like the idea of Jonny 13 / wing.
Just outside Billy 36 at 13 could see a brilliant future for him.

It is great being a Glaws supporter at the moment. This team just doesn't know when to give in. When you see the strength of the Irish side compared to the team we put out, to go away and turnover a 13 point deficit is outstanding.

HKC
GlOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...sterrrr !

What about Trinder? A while back he was nearly in the England team and now he's being supplanted by May?

Well done on the result Glos, we need you boys back in the Heiny next season though to help carry the torch for us Englanders!

yappysnap wrote:What about Trinder? A while back he was nearly in the England team and now he's being supplanted by May?

Well done on the result Glos, we need you boys back in the Heiny next season though to help carry the torch for us Englanders!

cheers yappy we're hoping to copy your boys and win the amlin this year.

Trinder is injured at the moment and has picked up a couple of injuries this season which has really stunted his form. When he has played he's not looked too good, but in fairness to him he's not been able to put a run of games together, added to the great run of form from Tinds he's just not pushed on. May is in part linked to OC in that he's got to be on the pitch somewhere, but I can see with Sinbad's long term injury, when May gets back from injury, he'll probably see a fair bit of action on the wing.

HongKongCherry wrote:

yappysnap wrote:What about Trinder? A while back he was nearly in the England team and now he's being supplanted by May?

Well done on the result Glos, we need you boys back in the Heiny next season though to help carry the torch for us Englanders!

cheers yappy we're hoping to copy your boys and win the amlin this year.

Trinder is injured at the moment and has picked up a couple of injuries this season which has really stunted his form. When he has played he's not looked too good, but in fairness to him he's not been able to put a run of games together, added to the great run of form from Tinds he's just not pushed on. May is in part linked to OC in that he's got to be on the pitch somewhere, but I can see with Sinbad's long term injury, when May gets back from injury, he'll probably see a fair bit of action on the wing.

Cheers Yappy, I'm very jealous of the Heino boys this year!

I think May was considered OC because he made his Glos and England U20 debut there. I agree we'll see him on the wing, maybe starting next weekend. If he can get a couple of eye-catching months in, then SL might get him in the EPS.

We shouldn't have been so nice to yappy, his boys repay with a thumping in the A league!

I was delighted we actually took the A league seriously this year and I feel it is benefiting the whole squad. You could see from the line up yesterday how our injuries are effecting the squad, but the game time for the younger players will be invaluable. Roll on next year and good luck Quins

Quins; the bane of our lives, especially at the Stoop. Got a lot of respect for them though, great squad and congrats. Good luck in the final.

Pleased with the Glaws boys though, fantastic effort.

Can't say I'm not bitterly disappointed by Jim's decision to leave. He joined us 3 years ago when he had the opportunity to take a bigger contract at Stade Francais, but he explained he wanted to join a club with with a real community feel akin to his days at Tigers. So it is difficult to see what has changed, especially as he is club captain and Glaws are playing the best rugby since he's been here. But it is the nature of professional sport that player's move on and this probably will represent his last big move - but you do get to a certain point where the tax man takes the bulk of any additional income, so for it to be worth it in real terms he must be offered a hell of a rise.

On the plus side, I see we have signed another lock Lua Lokotui for the season. A big lump who'll help, but no long term replacement for Jim. So on that note, who will be his replacement? We're being linked to Geoff Parling, but I just can't see that happening. We nabbed 36 because Tigers undervalued him and placed him behind Allen. Parling on the other hand is a firm first teamer, even with the plethora of locks they have! I would have liked our long term target Graham Kitchener, but he's recently signed a new contract. We're being linked to Nick Kennedy, who I feel would be a perfect replacement for Brown (who increasingly sounds like will be retiring). His international aspirations will be over making him freely available and his lineout work is excellent. So that still leaves Jim's replacement. I feel we need a big lump to help keep our scrum power, but who could this be?...

Launchbury please !

Unfortunately he's just signed a new contract. I'd like us to try for Matt Garvey, but we'll face a lot of competition.

The left field option could be to get Attwood back. We all know he's a shadow of his Glaws days now (), so he'll probably come a bit cheaper and we'll be able to make him back into the fearsome lock he was for us.

Cheers gents, I think that A league result surprised us Quins fans as much as anyone else!

To be fair though we did have guys like Botica, Clegg, Burns, Chisholm, Marfo and Stegmann who'd walk in to a lot of teams bench positions.

Surprised by Hamilton, but then this should help bring down the bills a bit and you never know it may be a blessing in disguise. We had a similar situation with Strettle leaving, looked like we'd never replace him and now it's Strettle who? Other locks out there would be Garvey, Day at Saints, Manoa at Saints or just shove Savage in there.

Can't see him achieve much at Stade either, it'll be like Gray at Sale all over again.

Glos should be very good for the Amlin this year, but then are you going to focus on the battle for top four? You could be being a little too successful at the moment! You definitely have the first team to be able to compete in one of those comps, not sure about both though...

Great news! http://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/news/8025.php#.UMmRSuTHE0k

yappysnap wrote:

Glos should be very good for the Amlin this year, but then are you going to focus on the battle for top four? You could be being a little too successful at the moment! You definitely have the first team to be able to compete in one of those comps, not sure about both though...

In the 3 Amlin games this season only one of them has resembled a starting XV, so we've done very well in the group of death. So the extra competition hasn't affected us badly and if anything is really helping the squad. Whilst we're doing OK in the LV, your boys and Exeter are ahead of us and I feel it will be nigh on impossible to get ahead of both teams. We have a home game against in the LV which I imagine we'll treat seriously, but I can see the juniors going away to Saints.

The big thing for me will be the inevitable loss of Freddie Burns in the 6N. 36 is a very good IC, but not much cop at FH and Tim Taylor just can't find any form at the moment. Added to that Ryan Mills and Billy Burns are injured until next year, so this has the potential of causing us the most damage.

EnglishReign wrote:Great news! http://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/news/8025.php#.UMmRSuTHE0k

Fantastic news. He will have been courted heavily, so it is great to see him commit. We just need to get him settled on a position. I think ND thinks he'll be a wing; I want him to be a FB; and I think you guys want him as an OC!

We just need to sign up Knight, Savage, Woody and Robson now and I'd be amazed if we didn't get them all.

Big tick next to Savage!

Its great news. He really is developing into an excellent player for us. He's another like May who just needs to be on the pitch.

The team is up for tomorrow:
Rob Cook; Charlie Sharples, Mike Tindall, Billy Twelvetrees, Shane Monahan; Freddie Burns, Jimmy Cowan; Dan Murphy, Darren Dawidiuk, Rupert Harden; Will James, Jim Hamilton (capt); Tom Savage, Akapusi Qera, Ben Morgan

Replacements:

Koree Britton, Nick Wood, Shaun Knight, Sione Kalamafoni, Matt Cox, Dan Robson, Tim Molenaar, Martyn Thomas

I must say that pack looks awesome and the replacements bench is exceptionally strong. It is a shame May is not yet back, but it is important not to rush him. I don't want to get over-confident as Irish on their day are a good side, but I feel we could be in for a good win here.

HKC, thanks.
Great pack I agree I just hope Big Jim's mind is still on the job.
The HBs and backs are pretty awesome too.

Very true gregor, the backs are looking very good too.

I do find it amusing that I read that Tindall and James are both in the side and I'm very pleased. I'd have never have thought that a couple of years ago (although I have always been more of a fan of James). It is wonderful that both have had such a renaissance in their careers.

Tindall - yes agreed, something happened to him post RWC debacle.
He is playing like a new man this season with his new part 'coaching' contract (but he can be a bit of a penalty machine on a bad day).
James just keeps on going bless him.
We'll be cheering them on from J section.

Here's the Irish side:
15. Tom Homer
14. Topsy Ojo*
13. Jonathan Joseph*
12. Guy Armitage
11. Anthony Watson
10. Shane Geraghty*
9. Darren Allinson
1. Max Lahiff
2. David Paice*
3. Halani Aulika*
4. James Sandford
5. Bryn Evans* (Captain)
6. Kieran Low
7.Jamie Gibson
8. Chris Hala’ufia

16. Scott Lawson*
17.Jerry Yanuyanutawa*
18.Leo Halavatau
19. Matt Garvey
20. Declan Danaher
21. Sailosi Tagicakibau*
22. Steven Shingler
23. Jack Moates

A very dangerous and fast set of backs, however, I feel they're not going to see much ball with that pack. Again, not wishing to be over-confident but I can see our front 5 dominating at the scrum and the backrow will be keeping them busy with bally carrying. The lineout will probably be an evenly fought contest.

What a great performance! 6 excellent tries and brilliant to not let them over the white wash. We were still sloppy at times, so I don't feel this was the performance where it all clicks, but I have left with a very big smile on my face. This also puts us in a great position to get a home q/f. I can't see us getting the top seed, so we'll probably face one of the HC 2nd place drop outs.

Congrats Glos, wasn't expecting that score!

It'll be interesting to see who's going to drop down now to oppose you in the play offs .

yappysnap wrote:Congrats Glos, wasn't expecting that score!

It'll be interesting to see who's going to drop down now to oppose you in the play offs .

Cheers yappy, you had a good win yourselves

As long as we don't get Leinster I'll be happy

Yea you might be out of luck there...

There's always Munster, Saracens, Ospreys or Toulouse as well as possibles to drop down.

Quins game was alright, to be honest it's massively boring playing a semi pro side like Zebre. Looking forward to the Connacht and Britz games for some actual meaningful rugby.

You do have a great group and have every chance going in to the q/f as top seed. But don't look a gift horse in the mouth, the 2 games against Zebre will probably make you a lot fresher when the we get back to the Jeff.

Actually, in hindsight I would really quite like to get Leinster. A home game would give us our best chance and you want these big games.

Exactly. I would love it if we got Leinster or Munster at Kingsholm, just remember the atmosphere from the 2008 QF!

I was kind of hoping that Leinster would stay up and we'd have them at the Stoop. Probably not going to happen now though...

Our group is very useful but it just doesn't generate any excitement, last season playing the double against Toulouse was far more immense!

Still the knockouts should be good either way, unless we get Clermont

credit to shedweb for posting this, but a great video from Sky about the analysts at Glaws, plus some of the tries from Saturday http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0,,12610_8341602,00.html

Still haven't seen a replay of Cook's try, woud love to see that again!

thanks HKC, I knew some technology was involved, but never realised how much. V fascinating.
regards, Greg

Saturday a big game. Chiefs one point behind in the AP and mugged us last year. And did all that stupid indian wooping at the end.
I think Glaws are way stronger now than on that occasion, so vengeance will be ours I believe.

It sounds like it's going to be a sell out for Saturday, so should be a great atmosphere for the last home game of the year. I am fully expecting a very tough game, but agree that this time round we're a far better side and whilst Exeter are on a great run, the home advantage should see us get the win and set us up for a nice Christmas.

Seasons greetings to you all

I haven't seen Cook's try at all, are there ever Amlin highlights?

Saturday will be tough, Exeter have just done the double over Scarlets. I'm not sure how much of that is down to Scarlets not playing their best but they are a good side, so 2/2 is impressive.

Last season was a heartbreaking result; we were awful for all but 5 mins, so probably deserved to lose at the death.

I was slow getting tickets, so am in West Terrace for the first time.

Come on the Glaws!

I see BBC Glos have tweeted there is some big news tomorrow...

HongKongCherry wrote:I see BBC Glos have tweeted there is some big news tomorrow...

Looks like it was big Alex Brown's retirement. Predictable, but still a big shame.

A bit disappointed that BBC Glos chose to build this story up by stating there would be a big announcement... But it has been confirmed Browner has been forced to retire. Fantastic servant for the club who has richly deserved his testimonial this year. One of the best lineout technicians about and it sounds like he is going to continue to coach the team in this area, hopefully beyond the end of the season.

Yes, shame but not a total surprise.
Purchased a ball in the shop last Saturday, and had it autographed by Alex Brown, Sinbad, Hendry Trinder and Andy Hazell.
Nice guys, but they clearly wanted to be in the game not is the shop.
Sinbad seemed fed up with being on sicklist, Hazell said he was counting down the weeks left on his ban.