European Rugby Cup : Gloucester boss happy after six-try victory

Lesley Vainikolo dives overe to score

Gloucester boss happy after six-try victory

13 December 2008, 7:56 pm

Six tries and a bonus-point win gave Gloucester director of rugby Dean Ryan plenty to cheer about on Saturday afternoon.

The Cherry and Whites ran out 48-5 winners against Italian champions Calvisano at Kingsholm to keep in touch with Pool 6 leaders Cardiff Blues and Ryan was happy with the outcome.

"When we lost at Cardiff we had to make sure that we kept winning with bonus points,” said Ryan, whose side were knocked out by Munster at the quarter-final stages of last year’s competition.

"Our decision making was a step up from last week. We played significantly better and so did Calvisano.”

Having won 40-19 in Italy last Saturday, Gloucester made it three Heineken Cup victories so far this season thanks to first-half scores from Mark Foster and Luke Narraway, along with a brace of tries from both Lesley Vainikolo and Matthew Watkins in the second period.

Despite the comfortable scoreline, Ryan admits that it was a far from easy run out for the joint leaders of the Guinness Premiership.

"I knew that they would come and make it hard for us,” added Ryan. “They wouldn't turn up and just lie down and that's how it proved.

"I knew that we were making them work hard in the first half so we would get the dividends late on.”

Ryan was particularly impressed with the performances of man-of-the-match Olly Morgan and No8 Luke Narraway, as well as All Black prop Greg Rawlinson who came on as a 60th-minute replacement for his first taste of European rugby.

"Olly is playing very well, he is great under the high ball both in attack and defence. He needs a string of games but he ran a great line today for Foster's try.

“Luke is a big impact player and he is now adopting a greater leadership role with us.

"He has a very mobile game and will contribute significantly to England's cause. He was robbed by injury of figuring prominently in the autumn series.

"Greg was introduced earlier than expected but our bench was loaded with front-row players and, as (Alasdair) Dickinson had a bang on the head, I didn't want to take any chances.

"Greg will bring a lot to this club. He is already making an impact. He has a great work ethic and a great knowledge. He always stays calm and will be a great asset."

Gloucester now face the Blues at home before travelling to Biarritz for the final pool game with their chances of qualification still in their own hands.

“Cardiff winning in Biarritz makes it harder for us,” explained Ryan. "We wanted there to be something in the game when Cardiff come to us and that's what will happen but really we have to win both our two remaining games to stand a chance of qualifying."