Redpath is preparing for his first season in charge at Kingsholm

Gloucester head coach Bryan Redpath has played down the likely impact of the return of the rolling maul in the Premiership this season.

It disappeared from the game as part of the experimental law variations, but Redpath believes a return to the old days is not inevitable.

He said: "It's a good asset to any forward pack if you're good at it, but the game has moved on a little bit.

"Teams have been used to playing the ball away from the set piece quicker."

He added: "It'll have a bigger effect around February, it's muddier then and a bit wetter, but I think in the first half of the season we won't see a huge amount of it."

The balance of the Gloucester squad is greatly changed from last season, it is smaller and contains few established players, with more than a dozen established names leaving in the closed season.

We had five in the under 20's world cup so we're looking pretty bright. Bryan Redpath

It means Gloucester are likely to rely more on youth and emerging players, some of whom were blooded last season by Dean Ryan.

"We have nine aged 20 and under in the 37 (man squad), so we have a real challenge on our hands," said Redpath.

"The youngsters proved last season when they came in that they could cope, certainly can't cope every week, but they can cope in little short bursts.

"We had five in the Under-20s World Cup so we're looking pretty bright on that front."

Gloucester begin their season at home to Bath on 6 September.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version