Rugby: Gloucester take it on chin and credit Munster

IT’S often been said, but nonetheless true, the real measure of a team is how they react to defeat.

In that respect, and just as they were when they lost the corresponding fixture almost exactly a year ago, the men of Gloucester RFC are class, sheer class.

Gracious, generous, magnanimous, humorous even, despite the fact that it hurt, had to hurt, for the second season in succession they took it on the chin, gave credit where it was due. To Munster.

“They were just better than us, particularly up front”, the simple summary from coach Nigel Melville. “We got to half-time, just didn’t have the ball, struggled when Fortey went off as well obviously, but we were outgunned up front really, and it’s very difficult to play without the ball.”

Nigel’s assistant, former England back-row standout Dean Ryan, was equally blunt. “Everybody is asking how did we change so much in a week,” he said, “maybe you should ask them.

"There are two factors involved here, our own performance and how they’re capable of doing. This week their forwards were magnificent, last week they certainly weren’t. We didn’t change, we were simply out-muscled, outgunned in most areas up front.”

No-one was in better position to note that change in fortunes in the forward battle from Kingsholm last week to Thomond, than visiting scrum-half Andy Gomersall.

At home, in Gloucester, he had had an armchair ride, everything presented on a plate; in Limerick, a forced under-pressure reverse pass in the second half, brilliantly-executed let it be said, was more indicative of his day.

“It’s not the kind of pass you want to make, but we were under pressure in our scrum and our lineout, Munster did the job on us this weekend that we did on them last weekend, particularly in line-outs.

“The Munster hooker was given man-of-the-match, and he did have a fine match, but last week he was under pressure. It was role reversal, wasn’t it? Me having to do reverse passes, that’s the sign I’m not getting ball I want.”

So where does this leave Gloucester? Not as badly off as last year obviously, when it was the final pool game, make-or-break. Then they were out of the competition; now both Munster and themselves have two games each to play, Gloucester with an away game to Bourgoin next week.

Will it be difficult to pick themselves up? Not at all, reckons Melville. “You don’t know them, but they’re a really good bunch of guys who have learned every time they’ve played together this year.

"They enjoyed last week’s experience, they’ll have learned from this; some very young players in there but they’re going to be around a long time for Gloucester. It’s good for them to have these experiences.”

Gomersall agreed. “We’re still in this competition, still have so much to play for. Bourgoin away, that will be a huge test; a win is crucial and we’ll have to seek out a bonus point as well. Benetton Treviso then at home, and we’ll have to do the same.

"Last year we were down and out, but it was a stepping-stone in our season, fuelled us on to greater things domestically. This year we’re still in it, if we lose confidence now we might just as well give up. That’s not going to happen, we’re looking forward to the next games.

“We’d been going really well but maybe this is the wake-up call you need, totally outclassed, outplayed in every single department.

"We’ll go back to the drawing-board, keep going; we’ve got plenty of talent in this squad, young guys mixed in with wise old heads. We’re not going to lose confidence, we’ll go out and play again. It’s tough to go through a competition where the opposition is top quality and win week in, week out.

"Sometimes you need a kick up the arse; Munster had that last week, came back and turned the tide, now it’s our turn.” Andy couldn’t help but look even further forward. “A rubber match in the final would be awesome.

"For me, this fixture should be made an annual event, Gloucester/Munster, it’s just fantastic, the two crowds are so passionate, the Munster lads are a great bunch of lads on the pitch, play hard but we have a beer afterwards.

"We love coming over here. Yes, we got our arses kicked again but I want to come back, I want to come back to Thomond and be in with a chance of winning again.”