Gloucester v Leicester

[hopwood]

It’s obviously a 2nd string Leicester team, but it’s nice to watch some free flowing rugby.
Great pace, delayed passes, offloads galore and good decision making in attack.

I don’t think Gloucester have the right game (yet) to overcome the likes of Exeter, Saracens, Sale or Bristol.
But against other opposition, if they hit their straps...they have so many attacking options.
Very much like Wasps.

Thorley is such a dynamic runner.
So strong!

Simpson pinging it quickly.
Cipriani dictating play and show lovely delayed passes to create openings.
12trees is sometimes underrated. 
Woodward strong and powerful from the back.
May excellent under the high ball and keeping possession alive.
Harris linking well.
And their forwards are overpowering Leicester and showing great ball handling skills.

Their new coaching team have reestablished the ability to find holes and puncture them.
King’s wisdom and calm head seems to rubbing off already. Cipriani (other than one poorly judged offload) seems to be performing at a more mature level and making his game all about creating mismatches and holes. Of which, he is a master beyond any other.
But, I don’t think they have the nous or bulk (at the moment) to challenge the top 4.
They aren’t hard enough yet.

And maybe that’s where Wasps are right now.
Not quite the bulk or the nastiness to overpower Exeter or a full strength Saracens.
But Wasps on their day against any other team have got the pace and guile to cut other sides apart.
A great offloading game and such an exciting conductor in Umaga.


Anyway, back to the second half.
Gloucester winning 36-13 at half time.
Thorley with 4 so far.

[hopwood]

Zack Henry (Leicester) looks a zippy player.
A bit of Jason Robinson about him.
Very quick feet.

[hopwood]

Cipriani goes off the pitch (with a twinge) and Gloucester lose all control and composure.
They look a completely different side.

Leicester have scored two tries since.
Leicester have now brought on Ford and Youngs.

36-27.


I think this rings true for Wasps too.
With Jacob at 10, we look composed and allowed to play the way we want to play.
But if/when Jacob isn’t there...who best fills the 10 spot and maintains our style of play?
I think Mills could well be the best like-for-like with his pace and playmaking abilities.
Goppeth is a much better 12 these days.
Sopps and Miller can’t launch our back line in the same way.

Gloucester conceded another 3 points.
Their game is capitulating without their conductor.
Wasps need to be wary of similar predicaments.

 

[hopwood]

Gloucester finally regain some composure.
Score a final try and take the game away from Leicester.

Final score - 46-30