Gloucester Rugby can claim the title says old boss Philippe Saint-Andre
GLOUCESTER have the power to lift the Premiership title the club and their supporters so deserve – this season, believes Philippe Saint-Andre.
Ex-Cherry and Whites boss Saint-Andre has backed the Kingsholm outfit to delight their supporters and land that elusive Premiership crown, as soon as this summer.
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Philippe Saint-Andre
Hailing the impact of new rugby director Nigel Davies, France's head coach admitted he always keeps a keen eye on events at Kingsholm.
The 45-year-old France legend was Gloucester boss between 1998 and 2002, and still feels both club and fan frustrations at the string of league title near-misses.
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But now he feels Gloucester are well-placed to change that ill fortune.
He explained: "I definitely think they can do it.
"They are in a good position for this stage of the season.
"They are where they need to be, and what comes next is exciting.
"I hear that the new coaching set-up is very strong, the players are coming together well, and it's a club with strong ownership.
"I would love to see Gloucester win the title that the club and their fans deserve.
"I still follow their results, and I am in touch with Martine Walkinshaw (Tom Walkinshaw's wife).
"Kingsholm is a special place with an incredible atmosphere, and the supporters are the backbone of the club."
Nicknamed Le Goret – the piglet – because of his running style, the likeable Gallic coach has also tipped ex-Gloucester hooker Olivier Azam for a return to Kingsholm in the future.
Impressed with Davies' coaching set-up, Saint-Andre expects the current management team to stay in place for some time to come.
But when the time is right Saint-Andre thinks Azam would jump at the chance to coach the side he served with distinction as a bullish front-rower.
Saint-Andre continued: "I think Olivier Azam is half-English these days!
"He certainly has a new Gloucester element to his accent.
"I took him to Toulon with me, and I think he has the abilities to become a top-class forwards coach and he is already very accomplished.
"I'm sure he would do a fantastic job at Gloucester if the job ever arose for him.
"As I said, the current coaching staff are doing an excellent job and I think they will be in place for some years.
"But I could imagine Olivier being keen to coach at Gloucester some time in the future, and if the circumstances were right, I think the club would feel the same."
36 Comments
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by RococoAgain
Thursday, March 07 2013, 10:08PM
“Rupert Harden is the number 1 and the best tight head at Gloucester Rugby. That is why Nigel Davies selects him for the crucial games.”
by LarryLevens
Thursday, March 07 2013, 10:06PM
“The number 3 shirt belongs to Harden. ND has selected him as his first choice.”
by J-Buddy
Thursday, March 07 2013, 10:04PM
“Harden is the best tight head at Gloucester by a mile.”
by s_sorcca
Thursday, March 07 2013, 10:02PM
“I am looking forward to Rupert coming back from injury and reclaiming the tight-head position. It is his because he is the top tight-head at Gloucester.”
by StanOfGlaws
Thursday, March 07 2013, 10:00PM
“Harden is a superb tighthead and was having a marvellous game last Friday, just as he has been all season.”
by Simon_Gray
Thursday, March 07 2013, 9:58PM
“Yep! Our scrum is always underpowered when Harden isn't in there propping.”
by Crunch_Man
Thursday, March 07 2013, 9:56PM
“Rupert harden = Top man = Top tight head = Gloucester Rugby's first choice tight head”
by Newildon
Thursday, March 07 2013, 9:54PM
“Well done to Rupert Harden for putting in another brilliant display last Friday. It was a real shame that he end up injured and having to go off.”
by Archie-Brew
Thursday, March 07 2013, 9:52PM
“It was good to see Rupert Harden delivering another excellent display of tight head propping before he had to leave the field through Injury.
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by mattn74
Thursday, March 07 2013, 9:51PM
“Let's face it, Gloucester's scrum is never the same without Rupert Harden anchoring it. Nigel Davies knows that which is why he (and not the clueless multi-identitied troll Django_G) selects Harden to start in the tough, critical games.”