Gloucester pummel Falcons to reach Champions Cup final
JOHAN Ackermann says the time has come for Jason Woodward to get a shot at an England cap.
New Zealand-born Woodward’s running in Gloucester’s semi-final triumph over Newcastle would have given defence coaches across the globe a nasty dose of the jitters.
While Woodward himself did not dot down in this four-try win over the Falcons, he was the the spark that brought an initially lacklustre Gloucester into full flame.
“Jason has the X-factor and he can play on both the wings, at 13 and he obviously enjoys full-back,” said head coach Ackermann. “He has an abundance of skill and is definitely ready for that step up.”
Victory means Gloucester will travel to Bilbao next month for a third European Challenge Cup final in four years. The Cherry and Whites were beaten by Stade Français in last year’s final and were winners in 2015.
Woodward believes things are starting to happen at Kingsholm after numerous seasons of under-performance.
“There are the right people in the right places here,” he said. “I feel like the club is heading in the right direction off the field.
“On the field there is a bit to work on but we are happy where we are.”
For Newcastle, it was a case of a distinctly galling fifth semi-final loss in the Challenge Cup.
The Falcons came into this match with all the statistics suggesting they had the tightest defence in the competition, but Woodward’s dancing feet and dexterous off-loads destroyed the stats charts.
Ross Moriarty, the Wales and Lions backrow who is leaving Kingsholm for the Dragons at the end of the season, was once again omitted from the Gloucester team. But he did not appear to be missed, with Jake Polledri excelling.
Gloucester’s victory means they have made it through to the final despite having lost twice in the pool stages to Pau.
Newcastle began at a decent lick, showing their intent with a bright off-loading strategy, and former Gloucester hooker Scott Lawson quickly touched down for the first of two tries from a lineout drive.
Joel Hodgson, who had been 100 per cent off the tee in the cup up to this game, missed the extras but the Falcons were off to a flier.
Gloucester’s early handling was poor, with Woodward among the perpetrators of some sloppy passing. But he redeemed himself with a glorious break that set up Tom Marshall.
On the cusp of half time, Gloucester battered away and Motu Matu’u rounded off a rolling maul.
Billy Burns scored Gloucester’s third try early in the second half following a surging run by Woodward, only for Lawson to keep the game alive for Newcastle by collecting his second.
However, Twelvetrees’ boot kept the scoreboard ticking over for the West Country side. The game was then placed beyond Newcastle’s grasp when replacement scrum-half Ben Vellacott capitalised on another piece of artistry by Woodward, who took a clear step towards the summer plane to South Africa.