Stooke is backed to step up
IMPOSING young lock Elliott Stooke could fight his way to Gloucester first XV action this term, believes Nigel Davies.
The bullish Gloucester Academy lock only turns 19 on Monday, but rugby director Davies has tipped him for a fruitful future – maybe even starting sooner rather than later.
The Worcester-born second row impressed Davies in Gloucester United's 14-try 82-0 Worcester Cavaliers hammering on Monday night.
The Cherry and Whites' second string will continue their A League campaign by hosting Sale Jets on Monday at Kingsholm (kick-off 7.30pm).
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United coaches Andrew Stanley and Rob Thirlby will once again be able to select a potent line-up, with new recruit Tommaso D'Apice likely to start in the front-row.
Targeting the A League as a competition Gloucester can win, Davies tipped physical lock Stooke to follow in the footsteps of fellow former Hartpury College second row Tom Savage (above) in quickly establishing a strong Kingsholm reputation.
Davies explained: "There were a lot of strong performances in that A League win at Worcester, but Elliott Stooke really stood out for me.
"He's a really big presence in that pack. Looking at him he's probably a front jumper, a tight number-four lock, and I think he's got a big future ahead of him.
"And he's certainly somebody we could look to fast-track.
"Tom Savage has been in a similar position in the last couple of years and he's coming through strongly now.
"Tom's been great, we've been really pleased with the way he's gone about his business.
"Against Northampton I thought he was fantastic, putting some big hits in, and he brings that real edge, as we've spoken all year about this Gloucester pack fronting up.
"That kind of bullish approach is really what we want to be all about, so it was great to see Elliott do something similar at Sixways against Worcester."
Pledging the club will continue selecting the strongest United side possible, Davies added: "Absolutely we want to win the A League, why not?
"We've got the strength of squad here to compete on that front.
"I was a bit disappointed with Worcester because if it's an A League it's an A League, you've got to commit to it for everyone's sake.
"If you just pay lip-service to it then it's pointless having it.
"But we can only do what we can do, and we'll look to be successful in that."
Monday's A League clash with Sale Jets is free for season ticket holders, £5 for adults and £1 for under-16s.
Comments
by TommoOfGlaws
Sunday, September 09 2012, 5:26PM
“Of course you have.”
by SJCGlos
Sunday, September 09 2012, 4:02PM
“Oh Elliot is the real deal, beleieve me. I have literally watched him grow over the last 2 years and his physicality and commitment are wonderful to watch.”
by RoccoAgain
Saturday, September 08 2012, 7:34AM
“Let's hope that Stooke is the real deal because the second row is one are that we do seem short on specialist players. Savage, for example, starts at number 6 today against Irish. Some think that is his more natural position anyway.”