Joe: I wish Wasps well but my try was extra sweet!
THE proposed training ground venue is located on the leafy, but busy, Stratford Road with a car park that greets you upon arrival.
Fields set into raised areas surround it on three sides including an artificial hockey pitch that is also used for small-sided games of football. It is not yet the artificial grass surface Wasps will need for allweather purposes.
The gym area is a small facility that, according to Wasps CEO (sport) Stephen Vaughan, could be converted into the canteen area for Wasps senior and academy playing staff and coaches. Offices link the gym area with the sports hall and fitness/conditioning suites.
Externally and internally the facilities are a little dated and weathered, compared to the images given to the Coventry Telegraph by WCG.
One of the pitches appears in fantastic condition while the others are a little overgrown along with the surrounding walkways and perimeters.
BRIDGE
■■Decision justified?
I think every now and then you need a refresh. I loved my time at Wasps, some of my best friends are still playing there and I hope they do really well this season. But the time was right for me to move on. Hopefully I’ve justified my decision.
I tried to prepare myself for it as best as I could. For the experience, a club you have tried to give so much to over the years and you still love, and you still get along with, with so many of the boys. I knew it would be a funny one but I had to make sure the occasion didn’t take over.
■■Scoring twice against former club, extra sweet or bittersweet?
Extra sweet in that I am playing against some of my good friends that I see regularly and it’s nice to have the bragging rights, but, bittersweet, because I want Gloucester to do as well as we possibly can this year.
But I still have an eye on Wasps. I would like Wasps to finish well this year. I am always going to be a Wasps fan and it’s not nice to see them lose and struggle because that’s my team at the end of the day.
■■Thoughts on Wasps securing a site for a permanent training ground base?
I think that’s fantastic for the longterm future of Wasps.
Every club needs that elite training ground. That’s only going to be a good thing, so I am excited to hear about when the players move in, a few of my friends probably won’t make it, they’re getting old in the bones, the young lads coming through will definitely benefit.
■■Do you share the criticisms of some former players about the club’s existing facilities?
I think you just make do, whatever you’re given you make do with. Let’s not forget Wasps at Twyford Avenue probably didn’t have the best facilities in the league but they were the dominant team for four, five, six years.
You get what you’re given and you do your best with it.
■■That swan dive for the second try...
I am a bit embarrassed about that, the occasion took over there perhaps.
I thought it was fantastic play from Ruan [Ackermann]. He took a fantastic high ball in the conditions, rode the tackle well and the space opened up.
■■Being given opportunities...
This is the player that I’ve always been. I am enjoying training more, I’m excited, but I think that comes with having that change and having that stimulus.
I think it’s tricky to be as excited and as up for training and the same day in day out, if you’ve done it for 13 years so I think the change has been good for me.
Having said that it was fantastic to get out there and play.
Wasps have a fantastic nine in Dan Robson, so I didn’t get as many opportunities there because it was tricky to oust him with the World Cup boys away it gave me an opportunity. I feel like I’ve been given the opportunities and I’ve got a bit of rhythm and it’s working out well.
■■Was going head-to-head with Dan Robson a motivation?
I try not to think about it too much. I think nine is one of those positions where you’re not really in direct confrontation. You’re protected by 14 bigger blokes in front of you.
My job was to get the best out of the forwards in front of me and listen to whatever the ten wanted. If you go off piste and look to have personal, individual battles, it detracts from your game.
■■The Shed/Kingsholm versus the Ricoh Arena
I do think the Ricoh is fantastic when it’s packed out, there’s not many stadiums like it, when it’s heaving. Because you get that atmosphere building.
But The Shed and Welford Road, they’re two of the old school rugby grounds. That was my first lap around the Shed and it is one I will remember for many a year.