Gloucester Rugby: This is my club, why would I think of leaving?

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CHARLIE Sharples never gave serious consideration to leaving Gloucester and reckons the Cherry and Whites will soon challenge for silverware.

The 24-year-old was out of contract in the summer and there were fears he could leave Kingsholm in the summer. But he handed the club a major boost yesterday as one of five players to pen new deals.

Sharples insists his preference was always to stay at his boyhood club and he remains confident the Cherry and Whites are on the rise.

They have not picked up any silverware since being crowned LV=Cup champions in 2011 but Sharples believes Nigel Davies is building a side to push for honours.

He said: “I’m delighted to be staying and that it’s all wrapped up so I can focus on rugby and the rest of the campaign. Going into the season staying at Gloucester was always my first choice and I never wanted to leave.

“There were decisions to be made but ultimately Gloucester was the right place for me and it all panned out well.

“Gloucester’s my club and I’d stick with them through thick and thin. Winning is very important but it’s not everything and it’s not the only reason why I’m here.

“I’ve had seasons where we’ve finished anywhere from third to ninth. I’m not here glory hunting – I want to build something and be a part of a team that wins silverware.

“If that doesn’t happen I will not up sticks. But with the signings and re-signings we have made, we’ll be able to start building and achieving success.

“Winning the LV=Cup a couple of years ago was a massive moment in my career. People might not think it’s that important but for everyone who won that cup at this club it was a huge.

“To be part of a Gloucester team that won silverware was an immensely proud moment for me and I would love to do it again.”

While Freddie Burns is expected to quit Kingsholm for Leicester Tigers, the remainder of Gloucester’s red-hot back-line are set to stay together.

And Sharples has pin-pointed the opportunity to play in such an exciting side, while also alongside some of his best friends within the game was a major part of his decision.

He said: “It’s fantastic to go out and play with guys like Jonny (May) and (Henry) Trinder who are two of my best mates. We have lots of talented backs, guys like Billy (Twelvetrees), and it’s great to stay together.

“You also have to look at it as an individual and think ‘what’s best for me’ and I came to the conclusion it was Gloucester. But being in a backline with those guys was a big part of it and with the forward signings made it will be a really exciting team to be a part of.”

Sharples immediate focus however will be on Saturday’s daunting clash with Premiership pace-setters Saracens.

The Barnet-based club have won 10 of their 11 Premiership matches this season but Gloucester have triumphed on seven of their last eight league visits to Kingsholm and go into the encounter on the back of consecutive wins.

He admits the back-to-back victories over Worcester Warriors and London Irish were a major relief – now he insists the Cherry and Whites fear nobody.

Sharples said: “I wouldn’t say the wins have given us lots of confidence but they have put us in a position where we don’t have to worry. Being down that end of the table wasn’t a nice place to be and if we had bad results in those last two games we could have been in a compromising place.

“It’s a relief that we’ve got those games out of the way and put ourselves in a better position and now we can start kicking on and pushing up the table.

“We have a good record against Saracens at home and I can’t think of many occasions where we have lost to them at Kingsholm.

“They’re a very good team and are showing that in their form. But we know we have the potential to beat anyone on our day and if we turn up and get everything right there’s no reason why we can’t get the result.

“They like to apply pressure and are very good at it. If you refuse to fall into that trap and don’t allow them to do that you can cope.

“They want to put you in an arm-wrestle, squeeze you, put you in the wrong positions of the park and before you know it they have kicked three or four penalties. So you have to be very clinical, you can’t give them anything and have to put some of that pressure on them.”

Sharples is set to go head-to-head with fellow England wing contender David Strettle in one of several Red Rose match ups.

The likes of Freddie Burns and Owen Farrell, Jonny May and Chris Ashton and Ben Morgan and Billy Vunipola will go up against each other in the scintillating clash just four weeks ahead of the Six Nations.

But Sharples insists Gloucester can only focus on themselves and has urged individuals to win their battles to fire the team to victory.

He added: “I’ve been focusing on my own game and the past months have been busy sorting out contracts and then being injured.

“I’m pleased to be playing week in week out and just want to get back to my best form. It’s a big day for a lot of the guys and you have a fair few match ups across the park. If the individuals turn up on the day and get all their bits right hopefully it will do well for the team.”

Article source: http://www.loverugbyleague.com/news_12844-league-leaders-shield-still-a-priority-says-deacon.html

Gloucester Rugby: This is my club, why would I think of leaving?