Rugby: Gloucester up pressure on Munster

Gloucester 49 Bourgoin 13

Australian international McRae, who joined Gloucester two months ago, spearheaded his new side’s ultimately comfortable victory over Bourgoin at Kingsholm on Saturday to leave Munster standing in the way of a place in the quarter-finals.

Gloucester’s European dream last season died in Munster and next month’s double-header between the two sides should decide the group title, though the west country’s side’s return trip to Bourgoin will not be without its hazards.

McRae’s arrival has made Gloucester a more potent attacking force than they were last season and, while Bourgoin were eventually worn down at forward, they had no answer to the pace of Gloucester’s back three with the wings James Simpson-Daniel and Marcel Garvey claiming half their side’s six tries.

McRae orchestrated events, aided by his inside centre Henry Paul, but he appreciates that he will be closely watched by Munster because of the O’Gara incident which shocked observers because of the number of punches landed on his prostrate opponent and which earned him a six-week suspension.

“I am still embarrassed by what happened that night,” said McRae. “There was no excuse for what I did and deserved the punishment handed out to me. I said sorry at the time, but I have never met Ronan and if I do get to meet him next month I would like to apologise to him in person.

“I cannot explain why I acted as I did and it is something I will always regret. I know the Munster coach Alan Gaffney well and everyone in the game appreciates that things happen on the field which in hindsight you come to feel ashamed about.

“I will be the villain of the piece when we visit Munster, but I have to make sure that I am properly focused because the two games against them are going to decide the destiny of the group title.

“The main difference between the Heineken Cup and the Super 12 is that in Europe tries do not come easily. Defences take a lot of wearing down and, even though it is only three years since I played for Saracens, the game here has become really physical.”

The Bourgoin coach Philippe Saint-Andre, returning to his old stamping ground at Kingsholm, was given a rousing welcome by the crowd and there was nothing between the teams in a dour first-half.

Sebastien Chabal’s soft try on 49 minutes brought the visitors back to 16-13 down, but Gloucester responded with a salvo of three tries in nine minutes to secure the victory and earn a bonus point which had appeared improbable.

“We switched off and you cannot get away with that at Kingsholm,” said Saint-Andre. “This result means the group is now a contest between Munster and Gloucester and even though we have played them both, I do not have a clue which one of them will prevail.

“Munster played a conservative game when they beat us in France, keeping the ball among their forwards and relying on their goal-kicker, and they were very well organised.

“Gloucester have real pace behind and in Simpson-Daniel they have a wing who should be playing for England. The games between them could go either way and may well be decided by home advantage with bonus points proving crucial.”

Gloucester have still not forgotten the searing pain of disappointment they suffered in Munster 11 months ago when their numerical ability let them down and they unsuccessfully ran a penalty which, if kicked, would have taken them into the last eight.

“We are a wiser team for that experience,” said the Gloucester forwards’ coach Dean Ryan. “Munster are used to the Heineken Cup, having played in the tournament since its inception, while this is only our third season in it.

“It is a big step up from league rugby and you have to get used to new referees and unfamiliar, hostile grounds. Playing at Munster is as hard as it gets and we will never forget the disappointment of last season.”

The return of Gloucester’s World Cup contingent has coincided with their return to form, a run of three consecutive victories following four defeats in a row, and their pack has its mean look of old.

It is behind where Gloucester have shed their stereotype. McRae varied his tactics, making darting breaks to keep the opposing back row in two minds and throwing out long passes to bring his wings into the game.

Gloucester finished with six tries having gone through the first 40 minutes as if they were unsure where the line was: as soon as McRae started chipping behind the Bourgoin midfield and breaking up their defensive organisation, the drought turned into a flood.

“Munster will be a totally different proposition,” said coach Nigel Melville. “They are a fantastic side with a great record in Europe. I am not getting carried away because we still have it all to do.”

GLOUCESTER: Delport, Garvey, Todd, Paul, Simpson-Daniel, McRae, Gomarsall, Woodman, Fortey, Vickery, Eustace, Brown, Boer, Buxton, Paramore.

Replacements: Fanolua for Todd (71), Deacon for Vickery (48), Cornwell for Boer (67).

BOURGOIN: Peclier, M. Forest, Davis, Fritz, Coux, Boyet, A. Forest, Pucciarello, Cabello, Peyron, Pierre, Bonnaire, Chabal, Raschi, Cape.

Replacements: Zhakata for Peclier (61), James for Boyet (77), Bonrepaux for Cabello (67), Bonet for Peyron (56), Stolz for Pierre (60), Caillet for Cape (67).

Ref: Alan Lewis (Ireland).