Jim Hamilton

By Cherry Picker
July 7 2010

Reports from Gloucester's pre-season training at Hartpury College suggest it's a case of "so far, so good" as the Cherry and Whites prepare for the 2010-11 season. Conditioning work is said to be going well, though players are still at different levels of fitness after a summer of international tours which saw some Glaws players scattered all over the world playing for their countries.

One of them was new signing Jim Hamilton, the giant second row who was in Argentina with Scotland. He has now reported to his new club and says he's looking forward to playing for his new club in the Guinness Premiership.
Another new signing is back-row Brett Deacon, who is hoping to revive his career after switching from Leicester.
He told the Citizen: "I have it all to prove. People will look at me and say, 'He was not first choice at Leicester so why have we signed him?'
"My job now is to prove to everybody, the fans, the coaches and the players that I am a good asset for Gloucester."
Competition in the back row is going to be hot and another newcomer, former Worcester man Matt Cox has told the Citizen: "I can learn an awful lot from some of the other players, they've been playing at an incredibly high standard in the Premiership for a long time.
"They know what they're doing but I know what I can bring and it's part of the game that there's competition.
"I'm just happy to be here and getting stuck into doing the weights and the speed work.
"It's been pretty tough and a couple of notches up from what I've experienced before but that's good. The boys do work hard here.
"Working hard this pre-season will help me to come back fitter, faster and stronger and can't wait to run out at Kingsholm for the first time. It's a great ground and the atmosphere is second to none."
While the new players settle in, one big name has gone, of course. Ian McGeechan has joined Bath after spending the second half of last season as an advisor to Bryan Redpath.
The silence from Kingsholm on his departure is deafening, though he was only an advisor and while his experience is massive, hopefully he won't be missed too much.
On the international front, Dave Attwood is in England's Elite Player Squad for the 2010/11 season in place former captain Steve Borthwick.
Paul Doran-Jones and Mike Tindall are also in the 32, with Glaws also represented in the Saxons squad with Luke Narraway and James Simpson-Daniel.
England have a week's training camp from August 8 and autumn internationals against New Zealand (November 6), Australia (November 13), Samoa (November 20) and South Africa (November 27).

So far, so good as Glaws prepare for the new season

Discussion started by Shedloads (IP Logged), 07/07/2010 11:17

Shedloads
07/07/2010 11:17

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

Reply Quote Report

Yeager
07/07/2010 12:12

Ian McGeechan's departure is no big deal. The turn round in fortunes last season was down to the coaches and the players and started in January before McGeechan arrived.

If there is a deafening silence, it is over the departure of Denis Betts and a replacement for him.

Reply Quote Report

Two Sheds
08/07/2010 12:40

Yeager's right ... McGeechan's role was strictly behind the scenes.
Betts wasn't.

Reply Quote Report

Message List Search Log In

Your Name:
Subject:

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net