Heinz: We got hairdryer after Saints defeat

ENGLAND scrum half Willi Heinz revealed the Gloucester coaching staff gave the players the ‘hairdryer’ treatment following their 31-26 defeat to Northampton Saints on Saturday.

Heinz, who was playing in his first game of the 2020/21 season having been sidelined by a troublesome calf injury, described the 10 minute spell which saw the Cherry and Whites lose their lead as ‘carnage.’

The number nine gave his side the lead with a stunning try just after half time, sparked by a sieving run from England winger Ollie Thorley, and finished by Heinz.

That made the score 17-11, but three Saints tries between the 50th and 60th minute saw yet another game get away from Gloucester who sit bottom of the table after seven games with a trip to London Irish on the cards this weekend.

Heinz, who was a reassuring presence back at Kingsholm and despite the final result, individually performed excellently said: “As players we are aware [the performance is not good enough and the fact the club are bottom of the table] but the coaches came in and gave it to us between the eyes to be honest and that is what we needed.

“After a performance like that you have got to put your hand up and be accountable.”

Having had time to review the performance, Heinz reflected: “We got

The coaches came in and gave it to us between the eyes and that is what we needed

ourselves into a decent position in that second half but perhaps some boys thought it was going to kick on from there, but that is not the case in this league, it is so close and so competitive and if you switch off you get made to pay; and is was carnage there for 10 or 15 minutes where there were just moments when boys weren’t in the moment and aware of the threats at hand which Northampton have.

“We turned the ball over and they were really quick to make us pay and we were not quick enough to react.

“We have had that message loud and clear in training this week and hopefully we will get the response this weekend.”