Injury and the form of his rivals has made this season a tough one for Gloucester and Wales scrum-half Gareth Cooper. He spoke to rucked.com
How’s things Gareth?
Not too bad. And yourself?
Not bad, not bad all. How you finding life at Gloucester?
I’m enjoying it here, we’ve had a couple of injuries throughout the team recently, but I love the set-up here. We’ve got great coaches and the boys are doing well too.
Been tough not getting many games?
It’s been a little bit difficult. Obviously I was at the World Cup so I missed the first six or seven games, then I came back and tore my hamstring on the second week of my return. That put me out for six weeks, then I came back and it went again! Recently though I’ve had a couple of games when Rory’s been with Scotland so I’m getting back to full fitness – I just need a bit of game time.
I guess moving to Gloucester was too good an opportunity to turn down?
I was at Dragons when Gloucester offered me a contract and took it with both hands. I was really excited at the prospect of playing for a such a great side with plenty of talented players. The set-up here is better than I’m used to back home too. I knew there was going to be competition for places at nine – as well as Rory, Mike Prendergast has also played well for us. But then there’s competition throughout the side.
How much potential is there at Gloucester?
Massive potential. We’re still top of the league and we’re in the quarter-finals of Europe so it’s not a bad position to be in. We just need to start playing better as the last six weeks haven’t been great – there’s been quite a bit of disruption with a lot of players injured or on international duty. But now everyone’s back and looking forward to Munster.
You’ve at least got the home draw…
It’s a huge advantage and we hope to make the most of it. If we can get the crowd behind us to spur us on it’ll make a difference. Munster are a huge European Cup side – look at the group they got through. Wasps, Scarlets, Clermont – to get through that sort of group is something special so we know the danger they pose.
They do tend to do well in Europe…
They’ve got huge experience, look through the whole team and they’ve played lots of Heineken Cup games. I think it’s now something like nine years in a row that they’ve qualified for the quarter-finals.
Who do you think is going to be key for them?
As with any side, you’ve got to say the half-backs, Ronan O’Gara and Peter Stringer have so much experience.
Is there more pressure on Gloucester because you’ve spent so much money?
I don’t know about that, the players aren’t feeling it. We’re just looking forward to the game and not worrying about any other outside influences.
Has it been tough being on the outside of the battle for the Welsh scrum-half berth?
It’s been pretty difficult. I went to the World Cup and only got 20 minutes against Japan and this year when Wales won the Grand Slam I didn’t even get on the field, I only managed to be on the bench for the England game. It’s been frustrating but then it’s difficult to stake a claim when you’re not playing for your club side. That’s what my main objective is, to get back fit and playing at my best for Gloucester. I know if I do that then I can challenge for the No.9 spot with Wales. I need to get back physically and mentally…
Do you regret moving to Gloucester?
No I don’t only regret it. I just regret getting those niggly injuries – without them I would’ve been involved a lot more.
Justin Marshall is often first choice at Ospreys and at Cardiff Jason Spice gets the nod, is there a problem with non-Welsh scrum-halves in the regions?
Marshall’s is an exceptional case, he’s probably been one of the world’s best scrum-halves for the last ten years and can only help people such as Mike Phillips who play under him. That’s got a lot to do with Mike’s improvement, he was superb throughout the Grand Slam and I think his competition with Marshall has helped him along.
So you think Mike’s a deserved No.1?
Definitely. He played four of the five games and is the Wales No.1. Dwayne is exceptional too, I just need to get myself back in there too – I’m confident I can challenge them.
What was it like being part of the Grand Slam squad, even though you weren’t starting?
It was great just to be part of it, it gave me a chance to get a different perspective on training away from Gloucester and it was good to see my country do well, even though I was mostly a spectator. I tried to help as much I could in training and I was ready to play if I was called upon. Winning the Grand Slam gave the whole country a lift. It’s always great to be part of a winning side and sometimes because it makes you frustrated at not being on the pitch it makes you hunger for it even more.
Do you think this is the real deal with Wales, not a false dawn?
I don’t know that it was a false dawn last time because we were always improving, we just had a little dip two years in row. I think at the moment Welsh rugby is on a high, two Grand Slams in four years isn’t bad…
And two clubs in the quarter-finals?
Yeah it’s huge, it’s the first time two Welsh clubs have got through so it’s great achievement. And we’ve got Cardiff in semi-final of the FA Cup, so Welsh sport overall is on a high…
As for the future, think you’ll return to Wales at some point?
I’m not too sure. I’ve got another year on my contract here and then I’ll just wait and see what options I have and what’s happening. I wouldn’t rule out a return to Wales to finish my career though.