Press Pass: Everitt ahead of Leinster

• 17 Sep 2024
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Get the latest from Head Coach Sean Everitt ahead of Friday’s BKT United Rugby Championship match against Leinster at Hive Stadium (Friday 20 September, kick-off 7.35pm) with this week’s Press Pass.

On Grant Gilchrist and Ben Vellacott being named co-captains

“I think the club has gone through enough change over the last 12 months to also change leadership which is working really well.

“As we know, they complement each other. When Gilco is on international duty or needs a bit of a break, Ben steps in and takes over. It is good to have two leaders in the group.

“At times Ben has been on the bench behind Ali Price, so if Gilco comes off early then it is good to have a captain to come on at scrum-half, who is in line with the team and the plan, so it has worked well for us and the team enjoys the leadership.”

On targets for the season ahead

“Yes, we have. We didn’t achieve our targets from last year, so for me we all know we are a team that can finish in the top eight, and we also know that we are a team that for the majority of the season sat in the top five.

“So, we have set our bar quite high. We would like to finish in the top four. We also feel that we can compete in the knock-out stage of the Challenge Cup, if not contest the final.

“The important thing is for us to prepare to win each week. In professional sport, I know it is difficult to go unbeaten every single week, but as long as you prepare to win every week you’ve got an opportunity.

“So, that’s our short-term goal, and we know that it is process, and if we get that right every week then we should end up where we want to be.

“We were a lot better last year in the number of sins that we got, but we want to look at the quality of our performances, that will get us through.”

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On the squad being in a better place this summer

“Very much so. Last year was quite disrupted because we didn’t have everyone here for the pre-season.

“I know we have some people arriving later than normal, but we’ve had a minimum of five weeks together for everyone to prepare, which we didn’t have last year and was really tough for the players.

“Last year we had guys coming back from the World Cup and having only two days to prepare before the Dragons game, so it is chalk and cheese to what we had. The numbers we have at training now is really different to what we had last year, so we are really well prepared.”

On the team’s challenging start to the Championship and Leinster first up

“It’s a hell of a start but we know that regardless of who we play in this competition it is always going to be difficult.

“Like I’ve said before, we’ve got to be optimistic about the first four rounds of this competition, and if we come out on top which is what we plan to do then it makes good reading for the rest of the URC. So, that’s our challenge and we see it as a positive.

“Well, we’ve had a look at Leinster’s pre-season friendlies. They’ve had two games and they’ve fielded two very different teams. None of their big names have been playing but we know the depth that Leinster have in their squad.

“Sometimes people call them a C team and a B team but they are a top of the URC team so regardless of what Leinster team we play against, whether it be with their internationals or without, we’re in for a hell of a tough game.”

On Darcy Graham and Emiliano Boffelli

“They’re all fit, they all got through the 40 minutes and I think it was good for them to get through that.

“If you look at the intensity of training and the 15 v 15 session we had against each other, that just confirms that they’re fit enough and ready to go for the 80. We’ve got a full squad to pick from this week which is great.”

On Harry Paterson

“Yes he is still injured. Unfortunately, the cut on his heel turned a bit nasty and it’s going to take a couple more weeks to get back.”

On Grant Gilchrist picking up the load with Sam Skinner and Glen Young sidelined

“The international players shouldn’t play more than five [in a row]. My philosophy is that we should try to rotate players before we get to that point anyway and that’s why I’ve pushed the depth in the squad.

“I suppose if we run into a spot of bother it’s a discussion we can have with the powers that be but my job here is to look after the wellbeing of the players and if you look at the load that they are carrying in November added to the four games in December, I wouldn’t be doing them any favours if I played all the players in my squad for more than five games in a row.

“I want a fresh squad, I want a rejuvenated squad and if everyone is playing within our group there is a lot more energy in the team room and the changing room so that’s our goal.”