Pace steps up for Glaws as new season approaches

Gloucester’s pre-season training will be increasing its pace and intensity over the next few weeks as the squad welcomes back 13 players who spent part of the summer on international duty and coach Bryan Redpath says it’s time to really get down to business.

The non-internationals and academy players have been working on their fitness for weeks now, but having been joined by their international colleagues the serious business is under way.
The build-up to the big kick-off in September continues in Portugal next week as Redpath attempts to bond the squad together as a unit and ponders on exactly how the side will go into the new season.
He told the Citizen: "It's good to see everyone back. We've been training for a few weeks now without them so it's great to have the squad together.
"It's an important couple of weeks ahead for us as a group and we'll be putting in a lot of work.
"Fortunately, of those returning this week, only Jim Hamilton is new to Gloucester so there won't be too much settling in and we can get straight down to it.
"Next week, in particular, when we go to Portugal, we'll be sitting down as a squad and outlining where we want to be and what we have to do to get there.
"I'm happy with where we are so far but we've plenty to get through now everyone's back as the first pre-season friendly is just around the corner."
That is on August 14 when Scarlets visit Kingsholm, followed by games at Ospreys a week later and Munster the following weekend.
Meanwhile, there is no comment from the club so far on reports that Jake Boer, who rode to the club’s rescue last season, will not after all be offered a job on the backroom staff.
It was felt that Boer’s experience would be added to the payroll, but to the surprise of many fans it now looks as if the cherry and whites have decided they can do without, or can’t afford it.