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Coach’s Corner
chris ellis22 Apr 2017 - 09:40
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As the season comes to a close
Coach’s Corner
As the season comes to a close it is time for a coach to reflect on what has been and where we go next.
This has certainly been a season of learning for us. We have had to learn quickly on the move and have been dealt some tough lessons. Teams will punish you if you cough up possession easily; we have to temper our attacking flair in some areas of the pitch until the time is right; a lapse in concentration in defence, no matter how small, can be costly. These lessons will only thicken our skin, and the boys will be in a better place for it come the start of next season.
But, we have also learned that when it clicks, it clicks. We have had many periods of play throughout the season where we have totally controlled teams and blown them off the park. We have played some extremely exciting rugby every time we have stepped on to the pitch, and some of the tries we have scored through the season have been sublime! Our aim next season is to play like this from minute one throughout the season, no matter who we face.
We have used 36 players in the 1st XV across the season, all of whom have made an extremely positive impact when they have been given their chance on the pitch. This shows the strength in depth we have at the club, and we will continue to build this over the off season. As well as this, the average age of the squad has only been 21!! All of this proves the potential that I have always believed we possess as a squad, and as the players mature, they learn from the lessons of this season and their knowledge of the game improves, the club will only go from strength to strength.
Plans are already being put in place for next season, and the boys will find out the exciting things we have planned for them in due course. There will be some changes off the field that will again only strengthen what we can offer the boys in terms of their skill development and preparation to perform, and the side that takes to the field come August will be fitter, faster and more skilful than ever. The coaching team I have around me is fantastic, and we will be able to push the boys further and further in the off season.
Fate will determine where we will be playing our rugby next season. I truly believe we deserve to remain in London 1 with some of the rugby we have been playing, and the compliments we have received from many of other clubs through the season is proof that we play a brand of rugby that all rugby fans want to see! Wherever we are next season, we will come back stronger and we will set our goals accordingly.
Finally, what a brilliant night Friday was. My thanks go to Eddie Jones for taking the time to visit the club and lead a session for the boys. I know the evening was very insightful for the coaches, players and spectators that came down to watch. It was a real privilege to work alongside him for the 2016 season, and hopefully Friday night gave all who were there a small glimpse of the amount I was able to learn during my internship! If that doesn’t motivate the players for today and entice a few new faces in to the club, I don’t know what will!
Ben Scully, Head Coach
As the season comes to a close it is time for a coach to reflect on what has been and where we go next.
This has certainly been a season of learning for us. We have had to learn quickly on the move and have been dealt some tough lessons. Teams will punish you if you cough up possession easily; we have to temper our attacking flair in some areas of the pitch until the time is right; a lapse in concentration in defence, no matter how small, can be costly. These lessons will only thicken our skin, and the boys will be in a better place for it come the start of next season.
But, we have also learned that when it clicks, it clicks. We have had many periods of play throughout the season where we have totally controlled teams and blown them off the park. We have played some extremely exciting rugby every time we have stepped on to the pitch, and some of the tries we have scored through the season have been sublime! Our aim next season is to play like this from minute one throughout the season, no matter who we face.
We have used 36 players in the 1st XV across the season, all of whom have made an extremely positive impact when they have been given their chance on the pitch. This shows the strength in depth we have at the club, and we will continue to build this over the off season. As well as this, the average age of the squad has only been 21!! All of this proves the potential that I have always believed we possess as a squad, and as the players mature, they learn from the lessons of this season and their knowledge of the game improves, the club will only go from strength to strength.
Plans are already being put in place for next season, and the boys will find out the exciting things we have planned for them in due course. There will be some changes off the field that will again only strengthen what we can offer the boys in terms of their skill development and preparation to perform, and the side that takes to the field come August will be fitter, faster and more skilful than ever. The coaching team I have around me is fantastic, and we will be able to push the boys further and further in the off season.
Fate will determine where we will be playing our rugby next season. I truly believe we deserve to remain in London 1 with some of the rugby we have been playing, and the compliments we have received from many of other clubs through the season is proof that we play a brand of rugby that all rugby fans want to see! Wherever we are next season, we will come back stronger and we will set our goals accordingly.
Finally, what a brilliant night Friday was. My thanks go to Eddie Jones for taking the time to visit the club and lead a session for the boys. I know the evening was very insightful for the coaches, players and spectators that came down to watch. It was a real privilege to work alongside him for the 2016 season, and hopefully Friday night gave all who were there a small glimpse of the amount I was able to learn during my internship! If that doesn’t motivate the players for today and entice a few new faces in to the club, I don’t know what will!
Ben Scully, Head Coach
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