Nigel Davies will build at Gloucester – Rugby News Update
Nigel Davies, the 47-year-old former Wales centre and boss at the Scarlets has joined Gloucester Rugby in the Aviva Premiership as their new boss.
With Bryan Redpath, the former Scotland international resigning before the end of season, and moving to Sale Sharks, the position was open for Davies, who has done a remarkable job at Scarlets in the RaboDirect PRO12.
Speaking about his future plans, he has categorically stated that he will not go back to his old club to sign any players, or the coaching staff, even though there are many players who are going to new pastures for financial reasons.
"It is obvious there is a lot of talent leaving Wales - financial issues were a big part of that," Davies added. "But the one thing we did at the Scarlets was trying to and create an environment where people wanted to stay and be part of. It's not all about money.”
This is his vision for Gloucester as well, and he wants to make the club a place where players are happy. He wants his team to have a sense of belonging, a bond that will go further than money. Gloucester has been a successful club under Redpath, and Davies who is much sought after as a coach, wants to bring back the glory days to Kingsholm.
Speaking further about his way of doing work, he said, "I won't be looking at any of the coaches or any of the players," and further added, "It's the last thing I would do is cut across anything that has been done at the Scarlets."
He said that he left his old job on good terms and he will not like to jeopardize it for the future, or undo all the hard work he put in at the Scarlets.
The former centre made his international debut against New Zealand in June 1988, and played his last international against England at Cardiff in March 1997. He made a total of 29 appearances for Wales, starting all but one game in his career.
His credentials as a coach will be further enhanced if he can make Gloucester win the Premiership.
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