London Irish vs Gloucester - Match Preview
By BrianC
September 16 2003
After the bitter disappointment of last Saturdays 29 - 19 defeat at Leicester, this weekend sees our first home game against the team that won the ZP by a clear margin last season, whatever the outcome of the Zurich Championship, Gloucester.
London Irish vs. Gloucester
Sunday 21st September, Madejski Stadium, K.O. 3p.m.
At the end of last season Gloucester, who's owner Tom Walkinshaw was experiencing financial problems, lost a few of their key players. A good contingent of their French players moved to pastures new. Whist they won their first game of the season against Rotherham 22 - 8 at Kingsholm reports from the supporters are far from effusive. It appears that some of these players were missed, particularly the half backs Mercier and Gommarsall. Loss of players and supporters doubts aside, we can be in no doubt that Gloucester are a class act. Yet again they are the bookmakers favourites to win the premiership.
Gloucester supporters travel in significant numbers, perhaps better than any other ZP team. We can expect close to two thousand of the 'Travelling Shed' to be at the Madejski on Sunday, a level of travelling support we can only aspire to. With these numbers to back them up Gloucester will prove formidable opposition. Last season we lost both our games against Gloucester a 19 - 40 trouncing at the Madstad on the 10th November was followed a few weeks later by a more creditable 25 - 20 defeat at Kingsholm.
As for London Irish, by all accounts Tofty acquitted himself well against Leicester, winning Craic MOTM, and can be expected to start again at number 10. Our new signing, Phil Murphy, impressed many people after he came on last Saturday, indeed he did in Ulster as well, and may well be starting this week. The question facing Gary Gold is how many changes should he make? Leicester was a disappointing loss but it was not by any means a disaster.
London Irish are laying on a St. Patricks Day style craic. We the supporters are having another one of our legendary car park parties. The scene seems set for another craicing day.
Can we beat Gloucester? Yes of course we can. On our day we can beat any team in the premiership. Will we? My heart says yes but my head no. Let's hope my head is wrong in this instance.