Half-backs shine in victory along with ‘phenomenon’ Polledri
GLOUCESTER Rugby battled through a tight contest to beat London Irish 36-23 at Kingsholm.
Gloucester Rugby writer John Evely takes a look at the individual performances at Kingsholm.
15. Jason Woodward - 6
Had a quiet day as he was pretty much untested by Irish and barely had a touch of the ball in attack before going off injured.
14. Ollie Thorley - 7
The winger just can’t stop scoring and while many won’t be easier than his score against Irish, running the ball in from a training ground set-piece move off the back of a line-out. Makes him Gloucester’s record single season try-scorer in the Premiership with 11 – beating two illustrious Cherry and White names in Charlie Sharples and James Simpsondaniel who both had 10.
13. Chris Harris - 6
The centre did not have the same type of eye-catching day he has had since the restart but showed great hands on a couple of occasions to work the ball wide from the set-piece tries.
12. Mark Atkinson - 7
The big carrying centre was used as more of a diversion but he played his role committedly.
11. Jonny May - 8
The England speedster worked hard to get himself into the game. He was physical in defence and even attempted a box kick but the less said about that the better – that said he chased it himself and won the ball back to make up for the fact it only went about eight metres forward. His kick chasing generally was exceptional.
10. Lloyd Evans - 8
Had an impressive game playing opposite former Irish international Paddy Jackson as he moved the ball quickly and sharply in attack to get the Gloucester backline into the action.
9. Stephen Varney - 8
Named the official man of the match in a try-scoring performance which saw him dictate the pace of the game while always being in the right place.
1. Val Rapava-ruskin - 7
A solid game from the Georgian.
2. Franco Marais - 7
A couple of errant line-out throws marked his card but incredibly physical in open play.
3. Fraser Balmain - 7
The seasoned frontrower was a rock and gave Gloucester a decent platform to attack from.
4. Ed Slater - 6
The second row left the field after taking a blow to the head in the 47th minute. Had worked tirelessly up until that point.
5. Matt Garvey - 8
The lock was visible in the loose winning turnovers and carrying hard. He also showed some great handling ability in the loose and was a solid line-out option.
6. Jack Clement - 6
Not a vintage game from the flanker with Gloucester struggling at the breakdown at times.
» »
» »
» »
» »
» »
» »
» »
» » » »
» »
» »
» »
» »
» »
7. Lewis Ludlow - 7
A typically niggly performance from the skipper who was a constant thorn in the side of the Exiles’ half-backs, attempting to charge them down. Top tackler for Gloucester with 18.
8. Jake Polledri - 8
He is a phenomenon and it comes as little wonder that George Skivington has moved him from flanker to the back of the pack as it offers more opportunities for him to get the ball in his hands. A classy interception and offload to set-up the try for Lloyd Evans.
Replacements: 16. Jack Singleton - 7, 17. Corne Fourie, 18. Jack Stanley - 8, 19. Ruan Ackermann - 7, 20. Jordy Reid - 8, 21. Joe Simpson - 7, 22. Billy Twelvetrees - 9, 23. Louis Rees-zammit - 9
» »