Gloucester

Club Details

Kingsholm
Kingsholm Road
Gloucester
GL1 3AX
 
Stadium Capacity: 12,500
Website: www.gloucesterrugbyclub.com  
Founded: 1873

- 2006/7 Season Preview -

Last time around: Last season was a year in which some substantial building blocks for the future were laid. Ryan Lamb, Anthony Allen, Olly Morgan, Jack Forster...all young, all English, and all making a huge impression on the Premiership in their fledgling seasons. Gloucester reaped the rewards of giving youth its fling with a dramatic extra-time victory in the European Challenge Cup final over London Irish, and the team was only minutes away from spectacularly rolling over Wasps on the last day of the regular season to clinch a Premiership semi-final spot, before the Wasps experience told at the last in one of the games of the season.

This time? From such disappointments as that of the Wasps match is a winners' determination born. Assuming the core of last season's team can stay fully fit - and there are a few injury clouds hovering over Kingsholm on season's eve - Dean Ryan can do the fine-tuning and return Gloucester to the heights of four years ago, when they ran away with the league section of the Premiership. The additions of Marco Bortolami, Carlos Nieto and Chrsitian Califano will give steel to the pack in Europe, and Iain Balshaw and Willie Walker will also add experience to the Cherry and Whites' exuberant youngsters. Expect Gloucester to get a semi-final place in the Premiership with comparative ease. In Europe, fate has been reasonably kind to Gloucester as well, with only Leinster and an awkward tie away at Agen to be less than confident about. A quarter-final spot is attainable, and what about the clash between Leinster's backs and Gloucester's!

Coach: Former England No.8 Dean Ryan mopped up admirably after Nigel Melville's sudden departure, and looks to have added the finishing touches to Melville's work in progress with distinction. Ryan runs a tighter ship than many, but along with former Scotland scrum-half Bryan Redpath, the pair bring a balanced blend of forward beef and back-line invention to the role, which the whole team has been responding to.

Captain: Somewhat of an unsung hero, flanker Peter Buxton is the leader of Gloucester's ranks. Buxton was announced as one of Nigel Melville’s first signings in 2002 after impressing at Newport. A back-rower throughout his career, Buxton also had a stint in the second row last term in which he played in 25 of Gloucester's 35 matches. He is athletic and hard-working, and if he is rarely seen, it is because he is at the bottom of everything.

One to watch: Fly-half Ryan Lamb burst onto the scene last season and may very well be England's answer to Dan Carter if he is carefully nurtured. His attacking instinct and skills are a joy to behold, and even Andy Robinson's conservatism may bend if Lamb can pick up where he left off last season.

Final 2006/7 league position prediction: 2nd
toalbet.com prediction (29/8): 7-1 to finish first

In: Marco Bortolami (Narbonne), Carlos Nieto (Viadana), Christian Califano (Agen), Iain Balshaw (Leeds Tykes), Will James (Cornish Pirates), Willie Walker (Japan), Rory Lawson (Edinburgh Gunners).

Out: Phil Vickery (Wasps), Henry Paul (Harlequins RL), Mark Cornwell (Pertemps Bees), Terry Fanolua (Brive), Simon Amor (Wasps), Marcel Garvey (Worcester Warriors), Quinton Davids (released), James Parks (Leeds Tykes), Duncan Macrae (retired), Gary Powell (Cardiff Blues).

Colours: Cherry red and white

Tickets: £18 - 23

Travel connections: Gloucester is close to the M5 motorway, which leads from Birmingham to the South-West. The train station is on the main line from North to South-West as well, and is only ten minutes' walk from the ground.