SHOCK SWITCH?

» Gloucester lock Tom Savage linked with move to Japanese club,

TIM Taylor admitted Gloucester’s 52-0 defeat at Bath was tough to swallow. It was the Cherry and Whites’ heaviest defeat in any competition in the professional era as the contrasting sides selected told in the Premiership Rugby Cup dead rubber at The Rec.

Gloucester left out most of their frontline stars with a number of fringe senior squad members and Academy youngsters getting a chance but backs coach Taylor could not fault their effort or commitment as the game finally went ahead on Monday night after two postponements over the weekend. “A really tough defeat,” said Taylor. “It’s hard to swallow but it wasn’t due to lack of effort or heart, they showed a lot of that and their attitude throughout the week has been excellent with the game being called off twice and then back on.

“No complaints, they just got on with it.

“Bath were very good and they took their opportunities very well.”

England international Semesa Rokoduguni stole the show in a star-studded Bath side with four tries.

Fourteen of Gloucester’s starting XV were Academy products and Taylor, who was handed the reins along with forwards coach Trevor Woodman for this game, believes there are key lessons that they can take away with them.

“The biggest thing is how we can learn from it and push on and improve,” he said.

“The effort was there, the heart was there but those fundamentals are key, that basic skillset is so important whatever level you play at.

“It’s a great learning experience, especially for the youngsters that played. A lot of them put in a great shift.

“Bath had a very good side out and they performed well.

“It was great to see guys like Gareth Denman and Paddy Mac (Mcallister) get some game time, they’ve not played loads this year due to injury.

“Great to see Savvy (Tom Savage) get some minutes under his belt and then a lot of those young boys to play in front of a big crowd and get that experience would’ve been brilliant for them.”

The fixture was originally due to go ahead on Saturday but was moved back a day due to snow before being postponed again on Sunday, eventually going ahead on Monday night.

Taylor said: “We won’t use it as an excuse, it can’t be an excuse. Bath were in the same boat.

“We managed to get a session in on Sunday to catch up on a few things and I felt we were prepared going into the game.”

The thing with Gloucester is the team community feel, it’s a city where rugby is everything Danny Cipriani