Squad now complete – Redpath
GLOUCESTER head coach Bryan Redpath says the jigsaw is complete after confirming his playing squad for the 2009-10 season.
With 13 players leaving Kingsholm since the end of last season, nine new faces have joined the club, including Nicky Robinson, Tom Voyce and Seru Rabeni.
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Gloucester Rugby head coach Bryan Redpath
A number of established internationals and promising youngsters have left the club to be replaced by some less well-known players.
But former Scotland scrum-half Redpath says he is pleased with the smaller squad because it will make it more competitive.
"The squad has been decided and I just want to get on with it," he said.
"I do not want to look back, I want to make it work and make it successful.
"Whatever the squad is, I am not going to discuss who has gone, all I am interested in is the next few weeks of pre-season.
"That is all I am interested in. I am not going to get into talking about who should have stayed.
"Players that have left have been replaced by less experienced players. These players we have signed will make the squad competitive enough."
The club's chairman Tom Walkinshaw also said at the recent Fans Forum that a smaller squad was more manageable.
"There were too many people here not playing," he said.
"We had a rotation system but some people did not play for six, seven or eight weeks and then had a chance and played rubbish but still got paid 70 or 80 grand a year.
"We are trying to balance it, to get the right amount there and spend the most we are allowed to spend with the best way possible."
Another weapon in Redpath's arsenal will be the club's up-and-coming youngsters.
Gloucester recently provided England with five players at the Under-20 Junior World Championships – the largest contingent from any club.
Dan Williams, Henry Trinder, Dave Lewis, Charlie Sharples and Shaun Knight all helped England reach the final before succumbing to reigning champions New Zealand.
Redpath said: "We have got to use them. I believe all of them have got a future here and it is great to see them in the Junior World Cup final and it is great for Gloucester."
5 Comments
by Not fooled by this shambles, Gloucester
Tuesday, June 30 2009, 10:41PM
“Well to be honest Fed up, if your satisfied with wasting your money on a season ticket whilst your team is losing to Worcester, Leeds and Newcastle next season, I hope your happy. Why do you think they've got so many young players and Bryan Redpath as their coach? It isnt rocket science, its because they have NO MONEY! So it's not how they really want to do things... but their hands are tied... and all the money you've previously spent has been wasted, just like this season's money will be....”
by Fed up of negative supporters, Glos
Tuesday, June 30 2009, 5:15PM
“Get behind them, not against them. I bet your tunes will change when Bryan proves you all wrong hey!!!!! You will be asking for him to be knighted no doubt. Give him a chance guys and dont doubt him before he can prove to you how good he really is....... watch this space.... Good luck to Bryan and his new team. Nothing wrong with Young Fresh Blood in the squad.”
by when will they listen, glaws, GL4
Tuesday, June 30 2009, 1:36PM
“Well if this is the jigsaw we are playing with for the season then the only good thing is that we won't be puzzled by another poor outcome!”
by dave Dother, Gloucester
Tuesday, June 30 2009, 12:22PM
“we have an excellent squad now and a great head coach,
i cant wait til next semester ! bring it on”
by Not Fooled by this shambles, Gloucester
Tuesday, June 30 2009, 11:49AM
“Who are they trying to kid with this squad? Its good to give academy players a chance of course, but to put 8 of them in the 1st team squad?!!? And signing a bunch of nobody's to replace talent? Pfftt... Im not exaggerating when i say this, but we will do well to even get in the top 6 next year.”