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Dallaglio: Why Wasps DNA can help Cipriani and co fulfil Gloucester's potential
Lawrence Dallaglio is backing the new Gloucester new coaching set-up to deliver Gallagher Premiership and European success thanks to the Wasps DNA they share with Danny Cipriani, the club’s mercurial out-half. Following the abrupt departure of head coach Johan Ackermann and director of rugby David Humphreys, Gloucester brought in ex-Wasps lock George Skivington to take over Ackermann’s role.
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After that, former England and Wasps out-half Alex King was added as attack coach and ex-Wasps centre Dominic Waldouck, one of Cipriani’s closest friends, came in as defence coach. Together with Dallaglio and Cipriani, Gloucester’s new coaching trio enjoyed Heineken Cup and Premiership titles at Wasps.
Skivington’s first match in charge of Gloucester was a Cipriani-inspired 44-15 win over 14-man Worcester, but they have since lost 33-24 to Bristol and 36-20 at Saracens, leaving them in eighth place, 13 points adrift of the league play-offs which they reached last season.
It has raised questions about Gloucester’s ability to be a consistent force in the Premiership and they now cannot afford to slip up against struggling Leicester at Kingsholm on Sunday.
Besides tapping into the winning mentality created during Wasps’ most successful period, Dallaglio believes it will be key for Gloucester to develop other attacking threats to take the pressure off Cipriani while also creating a “ruthless, hard edge streak up front”.
? | Cherry & Whites hit Warriors for 6?? ?
Watch the full highlights as Gloucester Rugby ran in 6?? tries at Sixways ?#WORvGLO
— Gloucester Rugby (@gloucesterrugby) August 17, 2020
Speaking to RugbyPass, the 2003 World Cup-winning England No8 said: “The Gloucester coaches are young, hungry, ambitious. They won lots of things in the Premiership and Europe at Wasps and understand what it takes at that level. They have that winning culture that made Wasps such a dominant force for three or four years. They have got that in their DNA because they were part of that journey.
“When you look at the make-up of the Gloucester squad and the talent they have led by Danny, you have to ask the question – have they fulfilled their potential? The answer is no they probably haven’t.
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“Even under the previous coaching regime they were getting better but when it came down to it, the brutal fact is that there is still a big gap between Exeter and Saracens and everyone else. Gloucester were leading the charge last season (finishing third) but were comfortably beaten in the play-off (44-19) by Sarries.
“However, if you look at the quality of the squad at Gloucester’s disposal with Danny pulling the strings, what they haven’t aligned that with is a ruthless, hard edge streak up front which Gloucester teams of old were built on. The challenge for the coaches and Danny is how you develop a game plan that will take on the top teams.”
Dallaglio wants to see Gloucester prove they can find the right balance to give them the ability to “win ugly” when required, which means developing threats up front. “The best teams I played with were always coach-led and player-driven and while you’re not always going to agree on things, it’s about creating a happy environment and winning,” he added.
“It’s nice to play good rugby and score lots of tries but it doesn’t really work out if you come up short in the play-offs. Those coaches bring a winning mentality and Danny has been part of that. Teams have played exciting rugby everywhere he has been.
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“With front-foot ball, Danny is one of the best players in the world. Take that away from him and Gloucester will need to build a game plan around someone like Jake Polledri in the back row. They will need to construct a game to be able to win in whatever way they need.
“The issues at Gloucester haven’t been around Danny. Wasps were setting things on fire when he was there, and he did well at Sale. It’s about other players stepping up and have a real say in what happens collectively.”
'The move back wasn’t an easy decision'@J0nnyMay tells @samrobertsrugby ???why he left @gloucesterrugby in 2017
… and why he's decided to come home. https://t.co/axYYUkOb9D
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 19, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments