Rupert will bring harder edge to Hartpury - Evans
DAN MURPHY reckons the recruitment of former Gloucester prop colleague Rupert Harden will give Hartpury a vital forward edge in this season’s Championship.
The hard-nosed front row duo spent three years together at Kingsholm and will add grunt to a side more famous for their backs play after sweeping the board in National One.
Murphy, 31, who has joined as player-coach after ten years in the top-flight with London Irish, Gloucester and Harlequins, said: “There are some good packs in the Championship so you’ve got to meet fire with fire.
“Hartpury are renowned for a free-flowing style and scored loads of tries last year, but if you don’t win your set-piece, lose half your first phase ball and rely on turnovers in the Championship, you won’t win many games.
“We’re working hard on getting that set-piece right and it’s been great to get Rupert Harden on board as well. He knows what the Championship is all about now having had a really good year last season with Richmond.
“Your tight-head is the cornerstone of the scrum and it’s a shame Rupert’s not still playing top-flight rugby because he could do a good job, but I’m looking forward to playing alongside him when we go to war in a few weeks.”
Murphy is kick-starting his coaching career after accepting his Premiership days are probably over.
He explained: “You never say never, but the offer to start my coaching career at Hartpury was one I couldn’t refuse. I’ll be coaching at Cheltenham Tigers and Cheltenham College as well, so it’s a great opportunity.
“I had ten great years of top-flight rugby, reaching a Premiership final and Heineken Cup final with Irish and having memorable times at Gloucester as well, but you can’t play forever and you have to think of what’s next.”
Murphy insists Hartpury are not in the Championship to make up the numbers, adding:”It’s a winning environment and we’ve got a huge advantage with the quality of our facilities, which we share with Gloucester.
“There’s a good buzz and it’s a great chance to showcase ourselves.”