I'd love to stay at Gloucester – Boer

YOU do not have to read between the lines of what Jake Boer says to learn that he would love to extend his stay at Kingsholm beyond Christmas, when his contract ends.

He does not seem to care in what capacity either, hinting that a coaching role may be on the cards although he wants to keep playing for as long as he can.

On the evidence of Friday night against Leicester, Gloucester could do a lot worse that to hold on to the 33-year, at least until the end of the season.

The decision lies with the Kingsholm money men as chairman Tom Walkinshaw has already stated the club are on the edge of the salary cap, meaning it might come down to how little cash Boer is prepared to accept.

But the important thing is the South African is desperate to stay, so surely the rest of it can be worked out.

"I'm happy and it's a case now of whether I'm going to stay or whether I'm going to go," he said.

"It comes down to the management and the board but if I had the choice I would love to stay.

"If it's not playing then possibly in another role.

"I enjoy coaching. I think it's a very rewarding job.

"But with any sort of coaching you've got to work your way in from somewhere.

"I would like to coach as part of a team. When you've played in sport you want to stay involved whatever way you can.

"Coming back has made me realise it's an environment I want to be in."

Gloucester face Harlequins tomorrow and Boer faces competition for a starting place after Akapusi Qera returned from international duty on Tuesday.

But that competition is exactly why he made his return.

"I'm a competitive person and I wouldn't have come if I wasn't going to compete," he said.

"But I'm also a realist in that I haven't played for some time but I'm happy with the way it has gone.

"I'm loving it, it's great to be back, not only from a playing point of view but also from an off the field point view – having a bit of input in terms of helping young guys, giving advice."

And he knows Quins at the Stoop represent a stiff test.

"They are a strange side," he said. "They don't have a specific way of playing you can pick up.

"They are not scared to play and they've got a very good work ethic as well, so we've got a lot of respect for them.

"We know we will have to work to get a result.

"I'm hoping that Leicester is a turning point. We've worked extremely hard and we know Leicester are a great side, so it was a good result."