Gloucester 2013/14 Thread

[HongKongCherry]

First topic message reminder :

In a wave of originality I've come up with the following unique thread...

Here's everything Glaws for this coming season:

Squad
Prop: Wood, Murphy, Harden, Knight, Y.Thomas
Hooker: Edmonds, Britton, Dawiduik, George
Locks: Savage, James, Lokotui, Hudson, Stooke
Backrow: Kalamafoni, Qera, Kvesic, B.Morgan, Hazell, Cox, Evans
Scrum Half: Cowan, Robson, Knoyle
Fly Half: F.Burns, Taylor, Bentley
Centres: Twelvetrees, Trinder, Tindall, Mills, Molenaar
Wings: Simpson-Daniel, May, Sharples, Monahan
Fullback: O.Morgan, Cook, M.Thomas

Academy (that could play a part):
Heard, Hicks, Moriarty, B.Burns, Reynolds

New Signings:
Hudson (Newcastle), Kvesic (Worcester), Bentley (Cornish Pirates), M.Thomas (re-signed), Puafisi, Young (Cardiff)

Re-Signed:
Kalamafoni, Twelvetress, Trinder, Cook, dawiduik, Stooke, Sharples, Sinbad

Leaving:
George (Worcester)
Britton (Saints)
Edmonds (TBC)
James (retiring)
Hazell (retiring)
Cox (Worcester)
Qera (Toulouse)
T.Young (Wasps)
Cowan (TBC)
Knoyle (Cardiff)
Burns (Tigers)
Bentley (TBC)
Taylor (retiring)
Mills (Worcester)
Molenaar (Quins)
Tindall (retiring)
O.Morgan (retiring)

Likely To Leave:
Harden
Lokotui
M.Thomas

Signed for 2014/15:
Hibbard (Ospreys)
Afoa (Ulster)
Galarza (Worcester)
Palmer (Wasps)
Laidlaw (Edinburgh)
A.Thomas (Scarlets)
Atkinson (Bedford)
Isaacs (Ospreys)
McColl (Leeds)

Likely Signings for 2014/15
Rowan (Leeds)
D.Thomas
Braley (Bristol)
Hooker x2




Confirmed Fixtrues (LV & HC tbc)
9 Aug Toulon  v  Gloucester L
24 Aug Munster    v  Gloucester L
30 Aug Gloucester v  Plymouth Albion W
30 Aug Gloucester  v  Scarlet W
7 Sep Gloucester  v  Sale Sharks L
15 Sep Saracens  v  Gloucester L
21 Sep Gloucester v  Northampton Saints W
29 Sep Newcastle Falcons  v  Gloucester W
6 Oct Gloucester v  Exeter Chiefs L
25 Oct Bath v Gloucester L
2 Nov Gloucester   v  London Wasps L
23 Nov Harlequins  v  Gloucester L
30 Nov Gloucester    v  Leicester Tigers L
21 Dec Gloucester    v  Worcester Warriors W
28 Dec London Irish  v  Gloucester W
4 Jan Gloucester    v  Saracens L
7 Feb Sale Sharks  v  Gloucester L
15 Feb Leicester Tigers  v  Gloucester L
22 Feb Gloucester    v  Harlequins W
1 Mar Northampton Saints  v  Gloucester L
22 Mar Gloucester    v  Newcastle Falcons W
29 Mar Exeter Chiefs  v  Gloucester W
12 Apr Gloucester    v  Bath L
19 Apr London Wasps  v  Gloucester L
3 May Gloucester    v  London Irish W
10 May Worcester Warriors  v  Gloucester L

[gregortree]

http://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/news/8868.php
speaking of lobster pink

[HongKongCherry]

http://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/news/8868.php
speaking of lobster pink

I know, it's vile isn't it?!

I really don't like that shirt; it looks like a football shirt and where are the hoops?? We just get them back and then they go! But don't worry we've got our twitter handle on the shirt!  

[jeffwinger]

Don't mind the change strip. Nice to have something a bit different, although it does remind me a little too much of a Jack Wills catalogue. The home shirt is an abomination. Ugliest Gloucester shirt I've ever seen.

[gregortree]

Don't mind the change strip.  Nice to have something a bit different, although it does remind me a little too much of a Jack Wills catalogue.  The home shirt is an abomination.  Ugliest Gloucester shirt I've ever seen.

+1  Jeff, new home shirt is not a good look.
I love my old school '1873' short sleeve version, no sponsorship BS, just classic hoops.

[funnyExiledScot]

It's a good squad - question for me is whether the front five can win enough ball for what is becoming a sparkling backline.

The back row is greatly enhanced by the signing of Kvesic, so I think the front five is now the big question mark. If that backline is given enough ball, Glaws could challenge for the play-offs.

[Geordie]

I see Glos have hired Marlon Devonish as speed coach...

[funnyExiledScot]

...as if May, Sharples and Trinder weren't quick enough!

[HongKongCherry]

The season ticket has arrived!!  

I wish the season would just hurry up and start!!

[Scrumpy]

HKC nice home and away kit  

[HongKongCherry]

The away kit is acceptable if you squint and as we'll probably only see it worn twice it's not big issue. The home kit is truly awful though and we deserve any and all vitriol for that incarnation. The only way they could have made that shirt worse is if they had made it in to some mock camouflage shirt, but no one would be that stupid...   

[yappysnap]

 

I see what you did there....

[Scrumpy]

Fair enough HKC I deserved that, it was one of the truly awful kits of all time.

The Star looked good though!  

[HongKongCherry]

I only jest Scrumpy. Despite our rivalry we are equally good at making truly awful kits

[kingelderfield]

Have to say i'm disappointed re front 5 recruitment. Having read the comments above obviously i'm not the only one to highlight this, but really its a tremendous shame. I think the backs are argubly the best in the premiership but its a 15 man game and without the ball they're negated and with the ball they're going to be under as much pressure as last season to have to make somthing happen. Again I reiterate its a 15 man game...Realistically I guess its a question of limited playing resources. You either pay top dollar, attract potential up and comers or go overseas and scout lucky, either way the issue will have to be broached. Here's hoping the front row have learnt and progressed from last year but all in all its going to take more than crossed fingers.

[LondonTiger]

So,

Now that it has been proven, on the International board, that glaws backs are over-rated and among the worst in the premiership, can we expect to see you reverting to a forwards dominated game?

[HongKongCherry]

So,

Now that it has been proven, on the International board, that glaws backs are over-rated and among the worst in the premiership, can we expect to see you reverting to a forwards dominated game?

Whilst I do enjoy watching our (over-rated) backs throw the ball about, I do yearn for some good old fashioned 10 man rugby at times - the kind of game when you don't see the ball for 80 minutes other than the scrum half feeding the scrum. It won't surprise you my other pastime is watching paint dry, but I do like a bit of forward dominated play.

[HongKongCherry]

On a separate note, Bucko has retired with immediate effect... http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/23576666

There has been some speculation for a few weeks that he would return in a academy coaching position. I doubt this was injury related as he's the type of player that would play through anything; I do wonder whether after 11 years with Glaws he realised he didn't want to play anywhere else? Either way, good luck to him in whatever he does. A true club stalwart if there ever was one.

[yappysnap]

So,

Now that it has been proven, on the International board, that glaws backs are over-rated and among the worst in the premiership, can we expect to see you reverting to a forwards dominated game?

Whilst I do enjoy watching our (over-rated) backs throw the ball about, I do yearn for some good old fashioned 10 man rugby at times - the kind of game when you don't see the ball for 80 minutes other than the scrum half feeding the scrum.  It won't surprise you my other pastime is watching paint dry, but I do like a bit of forward dominated play.

I'm sure I remember that at the start of the season Glos had a pretty good forward game going on and controlled well through the pack.

[HongKongCherry]

We did indeed have a good pack early in the season, but by Christmas the wheels had fallen off slightly, largely driven by the on-going injuries to Harden and Hamilton. so it'll be interesting to see how we go this season, but with opur strength in the back row I can see us trying to play as much broken field play as possible.

[beshocked]

HKC I certainly agree. Your backrow options look very good indeed.

The way I see it you have two very strong candidates for the 8 shirt and two very strong candidates for the 7 shirt but no one for the 6 shirt.

Who do you think will get the nod?

[HongKongCherry]

Kalamafoni is our starting 6. He only played 8 when Morgan was away/injured, so I'd expect that to continue. However, many of the Glaws support don't see Q as a 7 and he has played the odd game at 6, so we may see him move there more often given the arrival of Kvesic; but he may appear at 6 for the odd game to allow Andy Hazell a start or two. Savage will more than likely play more often at lock, but he'll appear at 6 a few times, but we also have Matt Cox and Ross Moriarty to call on too at 6.

All in all it is an embarrassment of riches in the backrow; I feel the core will be K, Q, Kvesic & Morgan and who ever is left on the bench will be hard done by, but also a hell of an impact sub!

[gregortree]

On a separate note, Bucko has retired with immediate effect... http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/23576666

There has been some speculation for a few weeks that he would return in a academy coaching position.  I doubt this was injury related as he's the type of player that would play through anything; I do wonder whether after 11 years with Glaws he realised he didn't want to play anywhere else?  Either way, good luck to him in whatever he does.  A true club stalwart if there ever was one.

Since confirmed (and by now you have probably seen) Bucko is cancelling Bristol contract to head up the Glaws academy, so well done on your scuttlebutt info btw, HKC.
I wonder if Bristol are a bit p##ssed off ?

[HongKongCherry]

so that's the first ans hopefully not the last piece of silverware this season. When Tigers got back in it I was very concerned we were going to see a repeat of last year's final turnaround, but we came good in the end. I'm so pleased we got to see Apo again after the army essentially forced him to leave us, so that was a decent farewell. Bring on the world club championship!

On a separate note, whilst we were comfortably beaten by Toulon it sounds like there were lots of positives from the game. It is worth remembering that this was their last warm up game before the season starts against it being our first

[HongKongCherry]

Bad news on the injury front this morning. It appears that in the game at Toulon Shane Monahan and Jonny May both dislocated something in their arms - I think it's shoulder and elbow respectively. So that'll put them both out for the start of the season. On the plus side we do have fabulous strength in depth there, so Sinbad and Sharples will more than suffice. It's probably a touch too soon for Steph Reynolds to start a game in the Jeff as I'm not sure he's physical enough yet, but Martyn Thomas can cover wing more than adequately, or alternatively Trinder could move out to the wing if required.

[HongKongCherry]

Fully as expected Tom Savage has been named captain, which is a very well deserved appointment. Somewhat cliched, but he is one that leads by example and you can never fault his commitment.

36 has been named vice captain too. I heard on the grape vine from Leicester that he had to be guaranteed this in order for him to stay...  

[formerly known as Sam]

Glad to see Billy is doing well. His leadership and moments of hesitation were what hampered him at Tigers. Good to see he's becoming the midfield general the Tigers academy coach still insists he can be at the highest level.

No Tigers fan wanted to lose him we were just annoyed in the way he conducted himself in leaving.

[Scrumpy]

Is Jaws on tonight?

I fancy watching something with Sharks in!

[Scrumpy]

 

It's dead in here tonight.

[HongKongCherry]

We're all watching Jaws 4: The Revenge, as it is a far more enjoyable spectacle...

[Hood83]

What the hell happened to Glos today. Was really hoping to see them really push on and hammer Sale. For those critical of Steve Diamond, I think he's a far better coach of forwards than Redpath, and to get that win with a team full of players that don't look much to me is pretty decent.

Who from Sale played well and how did players like Kvesic and Morgan perform?

[HongKongCherry]

It was a bit of a horror show for Glaws. Our lineout was appalling and we probably only won 2 clean throws all day - there was at least 3 not straights. Our scrum was slightly better, except for the losing against the head at the death under the Sale posts - why on Earth we didn't tap and go is beyond me! We were also completely unable to defend the maul and I can see sides doing that to us all season.

Kvesic was OK and certainly our best forward, but the breakdown was bossed by Sale. Morgan probably had his worst game for us. He looks unfit and was taken off for the Wood sin bin and then was subbed for Qera, so he only played just over 40 minutes.

Burns has moments that were decent, but just kicked far, far too much ball. But in fairness he received such poor quality of ball you can't blame him. 36 was binned for a dangerous tackle and was lucky not to receive a red. Trinder looked excellent, but rarely got the ball nor did Sharples and Sinbad.

There can be no excuse for that performance. Full credit to Sale, but they actually weren't that good, we were just awful and some serious head knocking needs to take place! It didn't help that both Sale's tries were referred to the TMO and both looked very questionable. The first certainly looked forward; I couldn't see the replay closely enough to see the direction of the player's hands, but that could be the only reason the try was awarded. The 2nd try was blatantly offside and was a truly farcical decision. The only reason I can think it was given was that the ball touched a Glaws player putting the player onside, but everything I have read so far suggests it was deemed he was just onside at the time of the kick. But regardless of the TMO's decisions we were woeful and Sale deserved a win. I think the Glaws support has received a thumping reality check.

[Hood83]

Was looking forward to seeing Glos push on this season, I hope this is a cobwebs issue more than anything, but still not great to see.

How Morgan can be unfit is beyond me, but as a general point, I think Prem teams level of conditioning across the board is useless. Every time you see SH players after a pre-season they look like they've put on about a stonne of muscle with no loss of pace. Our guys? Half of them (i'm looking at you props) look like they spent the summer off down the chippy. Depressing.

[gregortree]

It was a bit of a horror show for Glaws.  Our lineout was appalling and we probably only won 2 clean throws all day - there was at least 3 not straights.  Our scrum was slightly better, except for the losing against the head at the death under the Sale posts - why on Earth we didn't tap and go is beyond me!  We were also completely unable to defend the maul and I can see sides doing that to us all season.

Kvesic was OK and certainly our best forward, but the breakdown was bossed by Sale.  Morgan probably had his worst game for us.  He looks unfit and was taken off for the Wood sin bin and then was subbed for Qera, so he only played just over 40 minutes.

Burns has moments that were decent, but just kicked far, far too much ball.+1  But in fairness he received such poor quality of ball you can't blame him.  36 was binned for a dangerous tackle and was lucky not to receive a red.  Trinder looked excellent, but rarely got the ball nor did Sharples and Sinbad.

There can be no excuse for that performance.  Full credit to Sale, but they actually weren't that good, we were just awful and some serious head knocking needs to take place!  It didn't help that both Sale's tries were referred to the TMO and both looked very questionable.  The first certainly looked forward; I couldn't see the replay closely enough to see the direction of the player's hands, but that could be the only reason the try was awarded.  The 2nd try was blatantly offside and was a truly farcical decision.  The only reason I can think it was given was that the ball touched a Glaws player putting the player onside, but everything I have read so far suggests it was deemed he was just onside at the time of the kick.  But regardless of the TMO's decisions we were woeful and Sale deserved a win.  I think the Glaws support has received a thumping reality check.

+1  I chatted to Freddie, woodie, and a few of the lads Friday lunchtime in Costa at the cattle market. Told them the last time I saw them in Costa was before the away game to Leicester and that didn't end too well either. I was joking with them about that, as I did not expect on Friday we would lose to Sale. Shows what I know. Maybe this Costa thing is not such a brilliant prep for matches, they did seem aweful sleepy. Trinder & Cookie were my standouts on the pitch, the rest ? Meh.

[ScarletSpiderman]

The great British summer LT  

lobster pink flesh,
acres of cellulite,
and muffin tops.

What a thought to go to bed with

Tiger tell her you have a head ache then

[gregortree]

Sarries away.
Are Sarries taking the mick with this ?

'we'll bet your ticket price with you if you order from a Glos post code'

They trying to 'brag' with Glos fans into coming or just courting weird publicity ? Or just desperate for ticket sales ?
I cannot make the game anyway, but the makings of a 'win / win' for Glos fans who take up the bet.

[beshocked]

gregortree don't be overly sensitive. Bit rich coming from me I admit.

Sarries are not taking the mick out of Gloucester fans. it's just another strange decision by the marketing team.

I don't think it's bragging, it could be weird publicity or desperation for ticket sales though.

I think it's a good deal for Gloucester fans. It's a shame sometimes I feel the Saracens marketing team don't have a bloody clue what they are doing. Don't focus on the right people either.

[gregortree]

 Beshocked, no I'm being tongue in cheek here mate.
'Brag' as in cards not cockiness, kind of a double or quits offer to Glos fans, but without a financial downside.
Clever bit of marketing I think, certainly got us talking here in the shire.

[beshocked]

Perhaps if Saracens want to boost their support in Gloucestershire. 

Should give all Saracens fans a refund if Saracens lose. That would be a good deal!

[gregortree]

I am a Londoner, but don't go back much.
Where do Sarries play these days ?

[beshocked]

Is that tongue in cheek again? I can't tell.

Allianz Park - North London,Barnet.

[gregortree]

Beshocked, yes, idly away a boring afternoon with some 606 banter on my home town London. And musing on Sarries and this weekends Gloucester postcode ticket gimmick.
So got me thinking ... 'London' AP clubs, past and present:
'London' Irish - Reading - been there, we lost
'London Welsh' - Oxford - went there last season, we won
'London' Wasps - High Wycombe, never been
Saracens - were Watford. New NW4 postcode, so yes, London.
Quins - YES the truly London club. Sadly got lost in the rain last night.

Good luck to Glaws in NW4 tomorrow, I'll be watching on my new BT Sport channel.

[gregortree]

Gloucester prop Nick Wood has received an eight-week ban for stamping on Saracens forward Jacques Burger during last Sunday's Aviva Premiership game between the clubs.
Wood, who was sent off in the second minute by referee Wayne Barnes, cannot play again until November 13, the Rugby Football Union announced.
The 30-year-old appeared before a three-man RFU disciplinary panel in Bristol on Wednesday night.
Wood will be unavailable for Premiership appointments with Northampton, Newcastle, Exeter, Bath and Wasps, plus opening Heineken pool stage appointments with Perpignan and Munster.
Burger said earlier this week that he harboured "no hard feelings" towards Wood following the incident.unster.

[Scrumpy]

8 weeks.

lucky boy.  

[gregortree]

And all because he was just tenderising a Burger

[HongKongCherry]

I've no complaints with that gregor and I think is a fair reflection of his crime. I presume he had the band reduced by a week as the starting amount is 9 weeks. There is an argument that Dan Murphy was playing better anyway and with Shaun Knight returning, Yann Thomas can transfer back to LH. We will always miss Woody, but this has lessened the blow somewhat.

Roll on Saturday  

[gregortree]

HKC, yes poor old Woodie has not had a good season already.
Hate to ask this, but how much will he be missed ? although I think you already answered that above.
I'm looking forward to Saturday.. I hope to see a massive bounceback from the squad... as that will be minumum they need to do against the formidable NoHampton.

[HongKongCherry]

Woody has been off form for the last year now. Going back 2 seasons the thought of him going would fill me with dread!! Unfortunately he is not playing at those levels anymore, although I do hope and expect he will come good again this year; but on present form his loss isn't going to be massive, other than for his experience. Dan Murphy is hugely improved and deserves his shot at first team rugby. We'd be jiggered if he gets injured though!

[gregortree]

Gloucester Rugby can proudly reveal that Japan will be coming to Kingsholm to play Nigel Davies' Gloucester side on Tuesday November 12th 2013 (kick off 7:45pm). With Rugby World Cup 2015 just two years away, and Japan in pole position to qualify as Asia 1 and play two pool stage matches in Gloucester.
Japan, who recently made history by beating Wales in a Test match for the first time, are an exciting and flourishing rugby nation and will be the latest international side to play at Kingsholm following in the footsteps of Australia, Fiji, Ireland and Samoa in recent years.
 
I just want us to beat NoHampton tomorrow.

[HongKongCherry]

I thought I'd resurrect this thread from the bowels of v2! Glaws truly are the definition of inconsistent. How can we go from the rubbish of the Exeter game to this performance?!

The forwards truly stepped up. Yann Thomas was excellent and dealt with the early switch of sides well. Elliot Stooke must never leave that starting spot! He was truly epic and belied his age. The backrow were far better and seemed to have a much better balance to it. Savage had his best game of the season by a country mile!

I thought Cowan's experience showed tonight and he helped control the pack; although I felt some of his passing was pretty awful at times. Bar three stupid kicks missing touch 36 was excellent and handled the late shift to 10 well; and Sinbad was just Sinbad!

Oh the good times have returned! But without getting too carried away, our defence was shocking at times and our support runners were off the pace too often; but this was an unrecognisable performance from last week and the team should take great credit for this turn around.

Finally, what a fitting send off for Olly Morgan.

[EnglishReign]

Entirely predictable that we would beat Perpignan, after losing to Exeter.

[Sponsored content]