9:08am Wednesday 6th June 2012
THE WAY in which centre Henry Trinder has emerged as a key cog in the Gloucester back line over the past couple of years is testament to the faith that the Cherry and Whites are willing to place in youth.
Their selection policy of ‘If you’re good enough, you’re old enough’ is borne out by the emergence of the likes of Trinder, Freddy Burns, Jonny May and Charlie Sharples all at the same time.
And with this summer’s J.P. Morgan Asset Management Premiership Rugby 7s series rolling into view, the next generation of Gloucester speedsters will soon get the chance to earn their stripes.
Trinder cannot wait to see what the future holds for Gloucester.
“I will definitely be going to watch the guys, to see which youngsters we have got coming through,” said the ex-Cirencester RFC player from Bagendon.
“It’s a fantastic tournament from that point of view, and at a club like Gloucester where your age doesn’t matter, it’s a great opportunity for players to get noticed.
“Look at someone like Ian Clark this year. We had a few injuries and he got his chance in the first XV and took it with both hands.
“That came about because of the J.P. Morgan 7s and the A-League. He played his best in every game and earned his selection.
“I’m really excited about the chance to see the young guys running in tries and representing Gloucester because that’s what it’s all about.”
Trinder himself is no stranger to the sevens format having played for Gloucester as a youngster in the Middlesex Sevens. And the 23-year-old, who represented England against the Barbarians last year, insists that the skills of the shorter form of the game can easily translate to the XV-man code.
“Sevens is about fitness and at the start of the season it is a really good test because you are always on the move,” he added.
“You get your hands on the ball a lot more so your skills cannot help but improve.
“And at a club like Gloucester, where we have always liked to play with ball in hand, it should really help them.”
The J.P. Morgan Premiership Rugby 7s series kicks off on July 13 at Harlequins, with rounds at Sale Sharks and Gloucester Rugby and the final at Bath Rugby.
Visit www.jpmorgan7s com to find out more.
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