Gloucester Rugby Defence and Rugby Strategy Coach Dominic Waldouck has issued a stark warning to other Premiership Club sides as he reveals his team are in it to win it ahead of their first ever meeting against the Cornish Pirates this weekend.
“George (Skivington) has clarified that to us that this competition is important to us and we won it last year and we want to do it again this year. We want to win it.”
The Cherry and Whites produced an attritional 23-13 victory over Leicester last year to win their first ever Premiership Rugby Cup title but back to back is the aim for the coaching group.
But after conceding four tries to local Championship side Hartpury University last weekend, Waldouck knows his side are still on a journey to making a resolute defence a mainstay at Kingsholm.
“We’re not happy with where we are at the moment, we have had a big focus on collision dominance across the off-season and in the season as well and that is something we are working really hard at.
“We’ve performed well across the dominant tackle scores in this competition but we need to be conceding less tries and we are working hard to sort that out,” added the 37 year old.
There were also some of the younger lads putting their hand up for more first team rugby, something that Waldouck thinks is part of the essence of the competition.
Chappers x Hathaway 🔥
— Gloucester Rugby 🍒 (@gloucesterrugby) November 7, 2024
Highlights from our #PremRugbyCup win over @HartpuryRFC now available 📺👉 https://t.co/oSn8kiD15H pic.twitter.com/cjmlaehDPg
“I thought there were some impressive performances, individually I thought Deian Gwynne put his hand up and worked really hard.
“Harry Taylor led really well and he was at his busy best there,” said the former England U20’s international.
78′ | An excellent jackal by Harry Taylor and Gloucester escape down field.
— Gloucester Rugby 🍒 (@gloucesterrugby) November 2, 2024
🔴 26 – 31 🍒 | #HARvGLO
“The competition also presents a great opportunity to rest players but also give the younger lads an opportunity which is something we are really excited about.
“That’s why this competition is so good, there are opportunities for everyone but different kinds of opportunities .”
And another youthful side is expected this weekend as the Cherry and Whites welcome the Cornish Pirates to Kingsholm, a challenge Waldouck is expecting to be tough despite a 68-7 loss to Exeter Chiefs last weekend.
“The result last week against Exeter will hurt them and we know the Pirates are a good team, so we respect the Cornish Pirates and we expect a response.
“They will bring their best selves, and what is that? It’s a very strong set piece team, a physical team and a team we are going to have to be at our best to deal with.”
