Worcester review, School rugby debate and Pretty in Pink

Gloucester 24 – 19 Worcester Warriors

Sometimes winning is all that matters. The best sides grind out victories even when they aren’t necessarily playing particularly well. It can be an ugly spectacle and often leave the average supporter a little underwhelmed, but in professional sport getting the ‘W’ is everything.

This was no better underlined than by the performance of Gloucester last Friday evening against their nearest rivals, Worcester Warriors. A game in which many expected the home side to emerge with an easy bonus point win, ended with an anxious spell camped under their own posts trying to hold on to a victory that just after half time had seemed inevitable. Gloucester did win and compared to the numerous occasions over the past few seasons, in which they have surrendered the lead late on, this was an improvement. But nagging doubts about game management and the decision making by senior players was again highlighted, as the home side conspired to let the Warriors back into the match with a number of penalties and unforced errors.

Positives can be found, always an easier task after a victory. The continued impressive displays by Ollie Thorley, given his chance following the departure of Johnny May; the renaissance of Jeremy Thrush and the growing influence of Ed Slater is adding a strength and guile to a resurgent Gloucester pack. However the loss of Charlie Sharples to a hand injury will stretch the already thin backline further. Jason Woodward was excellent in the first half contributing to Gloucester’s first try with a sublime piece of skill but struggled in the second, starved of quality ball and unable able to effect the game in a positive way – conceding an unnecessary penalty which summed up how Gloucester seemed to ‘switch off’ and make the wrong decisions for much of the last 30 minutes of the tie.

The highlight of the game, at least from a Gloucester point of view and possibly any neutral watching was the contribution by Henry Trinder for the home sides third try, scored by Billy Twelvetrees. With his first touch of the ball, Trinder stepped and burst through the Warriors backline holding his pace to wait for support, followed his pass and received a return from Willie Heinz before again offloading the ball over his shoulder to a waiting Twelvetrees to score under the posts. A link to the BTSport video of the try is attached.

Trinder and Twelvetrees try.

The try and Trinder’s general performance once again highlighted not only his talent but the strength in depth of the English game. Unfortunately for the Gloucester centre, injuries have robbed him of any chance of featuring within the England set-up over the past few years but as many commentators and rugby writers noted, if the likes of Beauden Barrett or Bernard Foley had displayed the skill and talent involved in executing that try, it would have seen talked about as one of the great scores.

Worcester Warriors for their part showed a fight and belief that belie their current position. Certainly head coach Gary Gold will be concerned with the ease in which Gloucester opened up gaps in the defence, but he will have been impressed by the turn around in the second half, particularly the patience and at intensity at the breakdown. Equally Donncha O’Callaghan once again showed why he is recognised as one of the top lineout operators of his generation, forcing Motu Matu’u to throw long, by means which could be viewed as illegal depending on the referee. However it was effective and played a large part in denying Gloucester a platform in the second half. Peter Stringer, however looks a shadow of his former self. A little ponderous at the breakdown he was unable to direct and marshal his pack in the same way that the Gloucester captain Willie Heinz was able to do. This of course may be a reflection on the strength of the opposing packs with the home side largely dominating up front.

Overall, Gloucester will happy with the win but certainly frustrated that they failed to gain the bonus point. Worcester will see the second half performance as a step in the right direction.

Pink Shirts, Tackling in schools and injuries

Gloucester announced and released their new European shirt for the 2017/18 season this week and it is certainly eye-catching. Having a bright pink shirt is now almost common place, the trend started by Stade Francais in the early part of the 2000s. Increasingly the ‘away’ and European kits are becoming more and more extravagant. This obviously doesn’t please everyone, initial comments on social media regarding the European kit ranged from ‘Fantastic’ to ‘Bloody awful!’ One would imagine, however, that these will sell relatively well.

Over the past few years there have been calls by a small number of Doctors and teachers to look at how rugby is played in schools. One of the more prominent voices is Professor Allyson Pollock of Newcastle University. She has called for a ban on tackling in school rugby stating that the risk of injury and absence from school is too great and childrens welfare is at risk. Understandably reaction from within the rugby community was pretty strong and direct, however there is some merit to her argument but rather than simply banning tackling, better coaching should be promoted. The government are planning to spend millions of pounds promoting rugby in schools for all the benefits that the game promotes, fitness and a healthy lifestyle, teamwork, inclusion and respect. Hopefully a proportion of this money will be used to give teachers and school rugby coaches better training, so that they can pass on the correct techniques to their pupils.

The only part of modern rugby that does need to be reviewed, certainly at a junior level, is the use of padding and headgear that encourages a reckless style of play that can endanger not only the person wearing the items but also those around them. Another consideration that might also be useful is to start to rearrange leagues and age group rugby around the weight and size of the children, much like in New Zealand.