Walshe: Break time will give Cov a boost
COVENTRY Rugby head coach Nick Walshe has hailed the importance of a week off to refresh the minds and bodies of his squad.
The Blues and Whites signed off their first six IPA Greene King Championship games with a 46-7 defeat at leaders Newcastle Falcons before enjoying a rest weekend ahead of the return of the Championship Cup this weekend when Ampthill visit the Butts Park Arena.
It’s a period which former England international Walshe believes will prove beneficial.
He said: “We had a very long pre-season and then a nine-game block straight afterwards. It is always good to just get away as it can get a bit stale at times.
“It gave everyone a chance to freshen up both physically and mentally. Training has been very good the past few days, so all in all I’m pleased.”
Walshe, who joined Cov in 2016 and signed a new contract in 2018 which runs until the end of the current campaign, insisted that the break would’ve been beneficial no matter the result at Kingston Park.
“Even If we’d have won the game, I feel the break would’ve been just as useful as it was after the defeat,” said the former Bath, Sale and Harlequins back. “Unfortunately, the game didn’t go our way and we were second best in most areas.
“It is a level that we’re aspiring to get too and we’re just not there yet. They (Newcastle) played very well. We were disappointed that we didn’t put up a better showing. We lost all the small key moments in the game, so we can’t have any grumbles about the result.”
The focus at Butts Park Arena now switches to Championship new boys Amphill .
Walshe is cautious of the threat possessed by Saturday’s visitors but remains confident in his side’s ability to secure a third Championship Cup win in four outings.
He said: “We’ve got to be confident going into the game as we’re confident with every game that we go into because we believe in our ability.
“Ampthill have a big physical pack and some wily old heads. They’re no mugs and they’ve actually been playing some good rugby. They’re a good side and I have said before we as a group are really focused on getting the win against them.
“We’re gunning for a big performance.”