BR - impressed

By Cherry Picker
February 23 2011

As the Premiership’s transfer merry-go-round gains momentum, it’s business as usual out on the pitch as Gloucester test their recent revival away to a team desperate for a comeback of their own. A trip to Northampton is rarely easy, and it won’t be any different on Saturday as the Saints try to get back on track.

Just two weeks ago, veteran full-back Bruce Reihana was saying that the current Saints team is as strong as it’s ever been.
That came after an easy LV= Cup win over bottom club Leeds, but since then Saints have been thumped 29-15 at home by Saracens and, even worse, 38-8 away to Bath.
In fact, Saints have lost their last four Premiership games – a run that has seen them slip below Glaws, two points behind. But both teams have two games in hand on top two Leicester and Saracens, who are clear at the top of the table.
Leicester are away to struggling sale on Friday night, while on Saturday it’s Exeter v in-form Bath, London Irish v Harlequins and Glaws at Franklin’s Gardens.
On Sunday Leeds v Newcastle could decide which club finishes bottom, while Wasps v Saracens will impact on the other end of the table.
Coach Bryan Redpath was delighted with his team’s performance in last weekend’s latest win over London Irish, emphasising how important the defence was when Irish tried to come back late in the game.
Redpath had also been pleased with his team’s discipline and focus the week before when they won 10-9 at Wasps, and all those qualities will be needed for 80 minutes at Northampton in a game that could go a long way towards deciding the final make-up of the top four this season.
Fly-half Nicky Robinson has played a leading role in the last two wins, but he is on his way out of Kingsholm, reports that he has not been offered a new contract forcing many into the assumption that Redpath believes the club’s long-term future in that position is in the hands of either players already at the club or one who is on the way in.
There has been movement away from Kingsholm recently, of course, but no signs of any inward deal or deals.
Robinson can be, and on many occasions has been, a match winner. The only player good enough to replace him as first-choice No.10 has to be another potential match-winner.
Meanwhile, Saturday’s game is top of Redpath’s agenda – it’s an intriguing game and it's wonderful to be going to a place like Franklin’s Gardens with so much to play for.

Acid test for Glaws surge up Prem table

Discussion started by Shedloads (IP Logged), 23/02/2011 11:27

Shedloads
23/02/2011 11:27

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Dannyinnit
23/02/2011 11:44

Robinson has gone to Wasps: [www.rugbyworld.com]

[www.wasps.co.uk]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:02:23:11:51:08 by Dannyinnit.

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Two Sheds
23/02/2011 12:21

A few too many GOOD players are leaving and I'm wondering if we should start worrying about the squad's strength in depth next season.
Unless BR has a few surprises up his sleeve?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:02:23:13:31:05 by Two Sheds.

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