Holwell is Celtic League player of the month
The Leinster out-half was yesterday named the Celtic League player of the month for November. Three weeks earlier, the Kiwi signing was voted Bank of Scotland (Ireland) Player of the Month following his performances for the province in both the League and the Heineken Cup.
From the off, Holwell has made the number ten position his own scoring a total of 57 points and earning two man-of-the-match awards from five appearances this season.
Meanwhile European and Premiership champions Wasps have been drawn against rivals Gloucester in the quarter-finals of the English Cup.
The English Premiership big guns have met on some big occasions in recent seasons, notably the 2003 Premiership final where Wasps thumped Gloucester 39-3. It was a bitter pill to swallow for Gloucester, and many neutral observers, as the west country club had finished the regular season 15 points clear at the top of the table.
The clubs’ rivalry flared up again in April in the European Cup quarter-finals, which Wasps again claimed in convincing fashion with a devastating 34-3 triumph on the way to winning the competition.
Gloucester, the English Cup winners in 2003, booked their place in the last eight with a 20-13 win at Leicester on Saturday, while Wasps accounted for National One outfit, Bristol, 43-33 on Sunday, but only after extra-time.
“Our matches against Gloucester are always something to look forward to because there have been some intense clashes over the last few seasons,” said Wasps director of rugby Warren Gatland after the draw had been announced. “We know each other very well which adds spice to the match. Playing at Kingsholm is never easy but we enjoyed success there in November and will aim to repeat that in the quarter-finals.”
Meanwhile his Gloucester counterpart, Nigel Melville, formerly in charge at Wasps, said: “We wanted a home game and we got one.
“It’ll be interesting to play Wasps in November, December and now January. Everyone knows what the games are like between us and I’m sure it’ll capture the imagination of the supporters.”
The other all-Premiership clashes see Saracens, who edged out cup holders Newcastle at the weekend, up against London Irish while Sale, last season’s beaten finalists, are at home to Bath and bottom of the table Northampton up against Leeds.
Quarter-final draw (to be played January 22/23): Gloucester v Wasps; Saracens v London Irish; Sale v Bath; Northampton v Leeds.
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