Gloucester Rugby - Are they 2017/18 title contenders?
With Head Coach Johan Ackermann now at the Gloucester Rugby helm, it looks like the West-Country side is once again fighting for the top spots in the Aviva Premiership.
Strong marquee signings over the summer, such as the likes of Jason Woodward, Ruan Ackermann (Ackermann Jr.) and Ed Slater have no doubt added fuel to the fire of which Johan Ackermann is starting to finesse. Gloucester pride themselves on their physical, forward play - and Ackermann has certainly revitalised that under Gloucester this year, with previous season's Gloucester having very little identity in their rugby.
Since Gloucester's 57-10 thumping at the hands of Sale at the AJ Bell in Round 5 of the Aviva Premiership, the side have won 4 Premiership games on the trot (both home AND away):
Gloucester Rugby 29 - 24 Northampton Saints
Bath Rugby 21 - 22 Gloucester Rugby
Gloucester Rugby 23 - 17 Saracens
Newcastle Falcons 7 - 29 Gloucester Rugby
It seems that Gloucester, very much out of the media spectacle without any scrutiny at all, are slowly building the momentum that they need to finish in the top 4 playoffs spots at the end of the season.
Where are they currently?
Gloucester currently sit 5th in the Aviva Premiership on equal points with Leicester Tigers.
The team host London Irish at Kingsholm in their next fixture on Saturday, and will no doubt want to both set their mark on the competition and put pressure on the current top 4 with a big bonus point win. It will not be a match to miss!
Future games are Wasps away on 23rd December and Sale Sharks at home on the 30th December (the reverse fixture to the 57-10 thumping - a match that Gloucester will no doubt want to win!)
Who have been the top performers?
1 Jeremy Thrush
The ex-All Black lock has been immense in defense, and has even contributed with a few tries himself. The Gloucester set-piece has looked very impressive with Thrush playing a key-part in both the scrum and line-out. Undoubtedly one of Ackermann's first names on the teamsheet, and a massive physical presence for the side.
2 Lewis Ludlow
Ludlow has made the most tackles in the Aviva Premiership with Opta Stats indicating he has made 157 in the competition. He has been on amazing form, and he is the sole reason that any Gloucester fan can say that the recent news of Ross Moriarty's plans to move to Newport Dragons at the end of the season will have absolutely no effect on the team. He would fit into any Premiership team's starting 15 right now with no problem, and is a massive asset to the defensive force of Gloucester.
3 Henry Trinder
In recent years, Trinder has been crippled with constant injury problems, and this is certainly why he has never made a breakthrough into the England national team's 13 jersey. When he has been fit, he has provided some outstanding rugby and really can make something from nothing at any point in the game. When on the pitch he can instantly revolve a lack-luster Gloucester performance into something of pure magic, and soley has been the reason Gloucester have won some of their last few matches. If Eddie Jones was not after bigger, stronger centres that provide ball-carrying opportunities, he would no doubt be in the England side.
Notable Mentions:
Henry Purdy
Ruan Ackermann
Watch out for Gloucester in the coming weeks!