Positives in Glaws friendly defeat

Nigel Davues says he wants Gloucester to become a force jin European rugby in the next three years and he has challenged the swuad to match his ambition. On early evidence, he is right to make it a three-year target. 

There’s no disgrace in losing 33-22 to Heineken Cup giants Leinster in a pre-season friendly, but the game showed that while they can clearly compete,Glaws have a few gaps to close.

But there were more positives than negatives in the game as Gloucester match Leinster in territory and possession, but they made errors which wasted scoring opportunities too often.

Davies has admitted that when he became coach, he faced a lot to do in a short space of time, but nobody will begrudge him his ambition to become a major force in Europe, and his belief in expansive, attractive rugby has gone down well with the fans.

Leinster, probably a bit further down the match fitness road than the cherry and whites, provided the acid test Davies expected, but newcomers Rob Cook, Billy Twelvetrees, Sione Kalamafoni and Shane Monahan all did enough to suggest they are good captures.

Cook kicked an early penalty and a converted try from Ian Clark was less than Glaws deserved as they trailed 14-10 at half-time, but an early home try in the second half made it 21-10.

Dan Murphy fought his way over the line to cut the lead only for the home team to score again for a lead of 28-15, which turned into 33-15 before Twelvetrees sent Murphy in for  the game’s last try.

The result was wrong, but it was certainly a good workout against as strong opposition as you are likely to find.

Home to Cardiff next weekend will give is a gauge on whether Glaws can recover.