Davies confident of Gloucester success

Gloucester (13/2 European Challenge Cup outright with bet365) head coach Nigel Davies says his side’s 27-21 victory over Leicester on Saturday has only made them more confident that they can achieve success this season.

Fly-half Freddie Burns was the star of the show, finishing with a personal haul of 17-points, but it was the Cherry and Whites’ defence that has received most of the plaudits, after they managed to keep the Tigers (33/1 Heineken Cup outright with bet365) at bay, despite at one point being down to 13 men in the second half.

The Kingsholm club have long been regarded as one of the most exciting teams in the country, but have often failed to produce the goods when their rivals have tried to outmuscle them.

However, Davies appears to have added some steel to the side since arriving in the summer and says Saturday’s win has only helped boost his squad’s belief that they’re good enough to compete.

“I am really delighted with the overall performance today. We showed great determination in the second half, but we also played some great rugby at times,” he said. “We have a lot of confidence and belief and that was a fabulous win for us on what was a fabulous Kingsholm occasion.”

Toulon back Jonny move

Jonny Wikinson’s club side Toulon (4/1 Top 14 outright with bet365) have backed the fly-half’s decision to call time on his international career as he focuses on bringing silverware to the French outfit this season.

The former Newcastle Falcons star has now played his last game in an England jersey following 91 appearances for his country, scoring over 1,700 Test points.

Wilkinson will be able to focus on club duties as Toulon hope to challenge for silverware in the French Rugby Championship and the Amlin Challenge Cup this term.

Former England team-mate and fellow Toulon (9/2 Amlin Challenge Cup outright with bet365) player Simon Shaw believes the No.10 has made the right decision and will be more of an asset to the club.

He said: “The weight that has come off his shoulders… I think he will go on to play even better than he’s ever played before.

“Even though there is an awful lot of pressure here at Toulon to perform week in and week out, he sort of thrives on that pressure and I am sure he will go on to be a class player for a number of years still.”