For Gloucester, every cloud has a silver lining
For Gloucester, every cloud has a silver lining
Will Nigel Davies be a success at Gloucester Rugby? For Ryan Walkinshaw it's not quite the million pound question but Davies won't have come cheap. Davies had a successful playing career as a centre for Llanelli making 498 appearances which included 9 WRU Challenge Cup Finals and 29 international caps. From here he made a successful transition into coaching making a name for himself as Head of Development for the Welsh Rugby Union, before becoming Assistant Coach under Gareth Jenkins. Having taken charge for a single test vs. South Africa he moved on into regional rugby with the Scarlet's. Davies twice helped them to the last eight of the Amlin Challenge Cup creating a competitive Scarlet's side that loves to score tries. In the process he developed an International talent list that includes George North, centres Jon Davies and Scott Williams, Rhys Priestland and of course Ben Morgan.
This will be a hugely important factor in Davies appointment, Gloucester have a talent pool that matches the Scarlets. There were flashes of individual brilliance under Bryan Redpath; on the odd occasion they even combined Harlem Globetrotters style to rip sides apart. Davies has experience on his side, he will have encountered similar problems through the seasons with Scarlets and in the off season the ever present threat of 'poachers' signing young investments. Gloucester fans can be thankful that Davies puts emphasis on youth, as youth is Gloucester's most valuable weapon. He will be working closely with new Academy Manager Andrew Stanley, well known to Gloucester and formerly of rivals Worcester.
The plan was always that this would be the season Gloucester expanded, but in some ways the work over the last few years building a stable foundation has been undone with the dreadfully sad passing of John Brain, Ken Nottage's decision to move on and 23 year old owner Ryan Walkinshaw's announcement that he will now take an active role in the club as Executive Chairman. Ex Royal Marine Paddy Anson has also joined from Exeter Chiefs as Head of Strength and Conditioning. Stanley and Anson are both superb additions, highly respected in their field but they present a challenge. They will have to gel with the existing coaching team, including Carl Hogg and their new Director of Rugby, quickly. Of course everyone will be professional but at this level personal relationship, friendships, a shared idea makes a huge difference in everything from ease of communication to the squad atmosphere.
The same goes for new signings, is Davies happy with the squad? Perhaps he would have retained more of the clubs experienced core, long time captain's Mike Tindal and Luke Narraway are both moving on, as is Scotland captain Rory Lawson and that experienced veteran Tom Voyce. Gloucester has made some real quality signings, which is beyond doubt. The question is; are they the style of player that can help Davies mould his Gloucester. My understanding is that Davies has the flexibility for two more additions if required but with pre-season under way it seems this will not materialise.
This has all come around very quickly and when discussing Nigel Davies appointment it's hard to ignore the elephant in the room, Bryan Redpath's departure. I doubt we will ever know the reasons behind Redpath's departure but it's hardly a surprise that people are asking questions considering the nature of his resignation. Redpath was given free rein to build a new squad for next season. Had he at this time been planning to depart he would not have agreed, nor been given that type of autonomy to build a new squad. So it was a swift decision, that much is clear. What triggered this soul searching is where many people believe Sale Shark's enter the saga, and it wasn't just Rugby Union press sites that picked up the story and ran with it but mainstream media too. Gloucester Rugby's decision to set themselves up for a legal battle is a strong indicator, but on the other they have approached Premiership Rugby's governing body to seek advice before following any legal course of action which does somewhat put a dampener on any call to arms the shed heads may have been expecting.
Could it be that far from all of this Redpath began to question his own ability, in the midst of a poor run of form and in the course of spending a lot of the clubs money did he begin to wonder if he was the man to take the squad further? The board would possibly not been have been so patient if we had the same run of results next season. Redpath never seemed wholly comfortable with the title, spot light and accountability that came with the top job. At Sale he will have the top job in all but name and this will suit him well, in Steve Diamond, Redpath will be working with someone more than happy to take on the media and investors. If Redpath had suffered from an attack of self-doubt, it is unlikely Ryan Walkinshaw would have been so disillusioned.
Verdict: Every cloud has a silver lining and Redpath's replacement could be an inspired appointment. Davies ability to mentor young talent on paper makes him perfect, next season he will work with the experience of Jimmy Cowan, Nick Wood and others to develop and mentor the youngsters “ and that emerging team will be one Davies can make his career on. A strong stint with Gloucester could well see Davies return to the Welsh set up after 2015, possibly even the number 1 job in Welsh Rugby.
