v Gloucester

[The Feral Goat]

Anyone make the match? From the score it sounds like usual pre-season effort loads of changes etc but did we look like we had the hint of an attacking shape?

[Pitfitter1105]

Was there last night, Glaws hit us by attacking on the run instead of our tactic of pick n go and trying to bash through the defence, two different halves more go forward in the first half with Vellacot with attacking passing, second half Ali P kicked most? times from breakdown means they were under attack on Glaws gathering and advancing, but the defence held strong with minimal penalties, particularly in the last 10/15 minutes.
Now we need to find a mix between the two halves to get the best, good performances from returning and new faces, next week will show if we are making improvements.
All in my humble opinion of course.

[specybaldy]

I thought Gloucester looked very crisp in the first half and cut us open quire a few times. This was their second pre-season and it showed. For me our defence in the first half was a bit too passive - witth the exception of Mosese Tuipulotu who had a very good debut, in both defence and attack.

Darcy's try was the best of the bunch and it was good to see him back - he looked to be firing on all cylinders. Ross Thomson was steady; I didn’t notice Matt Scott too much; Bradbury scored a good close range try and gave us decent go forward.

26 - 19 down at half time was a fair reflection of the first half.

reckon it was our first choice forwards in the first half - they were outshone by the guys in the second half.

I don't know if Gloucester made wholesale changes or not at half time as I wasn't paying much attention to them. The fact they never scored a point in the second half is a testament to our defence, which I thought was great - much more aggressive from the young boys. It may, however, also have been because Gloucester were not as slick.

We looked to have a bit more about us in attack than last season. Six tries, even in a pre-season is pretty tidy. I was encouraged.

[Castlecannon]

Very encouraging performances that one hopes will move up another gear come Friday v Leinster . New and returning starts all appeared to energise those around them . New guys Inevitably fresh and motivated and mercifully free of the psychological baggage of last season . Ist half team looked better in attack but 2nd half guys produced the stronger defence albeit against a weaker Gloucester XV. Some tough calls to make on Friday’s selection but would expect Thompson to maybe start and possibly even Scott given Lang out for some time and not least the only genuine 12 in the ranks . . Conor Boyle and Muncaster will push the more obvious first choice back row and Ventner too is definitely looking strong. Boffelli or Goosen … ? Good luck with that call? .. Luxury!