Knight is happy to be real team player
GONE are the days when a seat on the bench represented a massive snub.
Every successful Premiership team will boast two full-powered front-rows.
One starts the contest, the other joins the fray on the hour.
A 60-minute arm-wrestle, or a 20-minute blast – Shaun Knight is happy to get to grips with either, and, most likely, both.
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Gloucester lost out 24-19 to Northampton Saints last weekend. Defeat aside, the scrum demolition job has been well-received at Kingsholm: and Knight relished his second-half cameo.
He explained: "I was pleased with how we went against Northampton in the scrum, they have been taking teams apart for years, so I was happy with that.
"Front-row is a tiring position, Rupert (Harden) went well, and when I came on I was trying to exploit the fact they would be tired.
"And it will be the same if I start and then Rupert comes on, it's about exploiting that tiredness.
"Nigel has been talking about the depth, and that the bench will be an impact weapon, not just to be used if someone gets injured.
"There were a couple of times last year when I was on the bench and didn't get on, so it's good hopefully to have those chances.
"If I come on and play well, Rupert's got pressure, if Rupert comes on and plays well then I've got pressure, it's as simple as that.
"It can happen like that every week, and that's the challenge for both of us, whichever way it goes around."
Dom Cullen's death has closed ranks at Matson – positively – and now Knight expects a strong campaign.
Continuing to assist first team coaching, Knight has relinquished his role with the Under-17s.
Proud to see a host of last year's age-group side step into the senior arena, Knight said Western Counties North and Combination Cup success would be Matson's greatest tribute to Cullen.
He continued: "Things are moving on at Matson, seven of the Under-17s were in the First XV squad for the first game of the season and it was similar in the Second XV as well.
"There was always a tight bond up there anyway, but after what's happened to Dom it's even tighter.
"The club is just sticking together through everything, and I think it will stay like that.
"As long as people stay together on the pitch then you can progress – and there's no doubting that happening from here on in.
"The aims for the season are no less than last year: so a cup final at Kingsholm, that's got to be on the players' minds, and they finished third in the league last season.
"And there's no reason why we can't finish top-three again."
Comments
by RoccoAgain
Saturday, September 08 2012, 7:25AM
“The starting front row certainly did an excellent job in the first half against the Saints' front row, especially Rupert Harden. He had an excellent game. It's a pity that there is still some doubt that he will even make the bench today because of his injury from last week.”