Danny’s drive can help us find top gear says Heinz
GLOUCESTER came up short when it mattered last season but Danny Cipriani’s determination to cement a World Cup place with England will boost their title chances next season, says prospective half-back partner Willi Heinz.
Cipriani’s impending arrival at Kingsholm has sent season ticket interest soaring and with Billy Burns’ departure to Ulster clearing the way for the recently recalled England schemer to battle it out with Owen Williams for Gloucester’s No.10 jersey, skipper Heinz is clearly enthused.
“I’ll be really excited to play alongside Danny,” Heinz told The Rugby Paper.
“It’s unfortunate Billy felt he had to leave but Danny’s been one of the star performers in the Premiership the last few years.
“From what I’ve heard off guys who’ve played with him, he’s a real student of the game who knows the way he wants to play and is not afraid of directing a team in that way. As a nine, it’s always exciting to play with 10s that bring that level of confidence and experience.
“The team always comes first and Danny understands that, but he seems to be in a good space and is really grateful for the opportunities he’s getting again.”
Heinz, right, added: “Danny’s at the top of his game and seems really excited about coming to Gloucester. It’s probably his most exciting move ever in his mind and we’ll show him the way we’re playing, which he can certainly add bits to and that will hopefully allow us to grow our game.
“That carrot of being in England’s World Cup squad is there in front of him. It’s a massive incentive and he’ll want to prove his worth in Gloucester colours.”
Gloucester’s 2017-18 campaign ended in abject disappointment when, having lost their last two Premiership matches to miss out on the play-offs, Cardiff’s dramatic comefrom-behind victory in the Challenge Cup final in Bilbao denied them silverware.
However, with their forwards stocked by the signings of heavyweight South African locks Franco Mostert and Ger- brandt Grobler, plus back row Jaco Kriel, prop Ruan Dreyer and hooker Franco Marais, Heinz is looking forward to controlling a meaner pack.
He said: “It’s an exciting time and the recruitment has been clever from the management.
“We’re committed to playing an attacking brand of rugby, but there were times last season when we got ourselves in some tricky situations in our own 22 and didn’t quite get the balance right between running, kicking and playing territory, which cost us towards the end.
“We got ourselves in really good positions in the league when the top four was in reach but couldn’t quite solidify that, while in the Challenge Cup final a few big decisions didn’t go our way but there were things we still could have done better as a team to nail down that trophy. “Our head coach, Johan Ackermann, said right from the start that he was prepared to lose a few matches as long as we were playing the right style of rugby, but rather than starting again at square one, he’s brought in guys he knows well who have delivered that style in the past.
“The South African guys spent four or five years with Johan at the Lions, they know how he works and will slip in seamlessly. Then you look at the quality of others like Matt Banahan and Cipriani, proven performers at the top level, and it’s an exciting season ahead.
“It was disappointing to finish last season in the manner we did and it still stings now, but on the whole it was a good season. We’re frustrated we couldn’t finish a lot of good work off but we’re working hard to ensure that when we get in those positions again, we’ll nail it.”
Heinz has worked hard to overcome a calf issue that meant missing last season’s crucial run-in.
He added: “It was so disappointing to miss those games. I’ve had various niggles with both calves over the last 18 months but we’ve had a look at how I’m running and the footwear I’m wearing and hopefully I’ll have an injury-free season coming up.
“There’s going to be a big battle for the No.9 jersey with Ben Vellacott and Callum Braley doing well and I’m under no illusions about needing to be at my best.”