So, will this be Gloucester’s season? It’s a simple question that I’ve asked as part of each new season spotlight about the club for more seasons than I can remember now.
It’s the age old question and will only be answered after 22 rounds. Can this sleeping giant finally reawaken and move themselves back up into the top half of the table and beyond?
Of course this season’s new ingredient is Johan Ackermann and everything that he will bring to the club. Off the back of a Super Rugby final, and fairly fresh off the playing field himself, it will be up to the South African to develop Gloucester’s key areas. They need to find that uncompromising spirit and dog of old. They need to become a side that pushes others around and one that ensures that Kingsholm becomes the fortress of old, a place where opponents look at and think 'yikes'. There’s no questioning the fact that 80 minute games must be the norm and not the exception, repeats of shaky final quarters or last-minute concentration lapses must be a thing of the past. Last season when Gloucester were on it then played some great rugby but I think that it's fair to say that they weren't on it enough, putting together consistent runs of matches has been their achilles heel for a season or two now and now that must stop.
As you'd expect Ed Slater, Owen Williams and Jason Woodward are three new signings that I’m really looking forward to seeing in Cherry and White. Ed Slater brings that competitive edge and focus that is almost innate having been part of such a demanding forward set up at Leicester Tigers for so many years. Owen Williams is a talented ball player who could run the show himself at ten or play that second playmaker role akin to the one we see Owen Farrell play for England. Finally last season Jason Woodward’s talent was abundantly clear in a Bristol side that, as a whole, weren’t at the races so with a stronger pool of talent around him we should see the full back carve it up!
My perspective is that a positive start is required from Gloucester Rugby, perhaps more than some other sides, in order to cement their belief and provide them with a platform to work from. I personally think that last season that opening night encounter with Leicester Tigers shook their foundations and actually pushed the wrong button in players’ heads early doors.
When you read through Gloucester’s squad it is a strong one with a healthy balance of experienced faces and newer talents. If they click together and nail that mental strength that we’ve discussed then the upper half of the table is eminently achievable. Alongside the domestic competition I wouldn’t be surprised if they also choose target the Challenge Cup once again. The prize of an automatic Champions Cup spot for the winner is key and they’re in a group that they should win with energy to spare - Pau, Zebre Rugby and Agen - before charging on torwards knockout rugby.
For Gloucester Rugby, as will be the case for a few others this season, it’s a ‘watch this space’ conclusion. Johan Ackermann could just be the piece of he puzzle that they’ve been waiting for. If he is then we’re going to see the Cherry and Whites side that make you nod your head in appreciation as opposed to shake it in disbelief.
Opening Six Fixtures: Exeter Chiefs (H), Harlequins (A), Leicester Tigers (A), Worcester Warriors (H), Sale Sharks (A), Northampton Saints (H)
Challenge Cup Group: Pool 3 Pau, Zebre Rugby, Agen and Gloucester Rugby.
Key Player: Remove player and add the word coach… Johan Ackermann, plain and simple.
