Nigel Davies backing Matt Cox to be Gloucester's long-term openside flanker
Wednesday 17 October 2012 13:25, UK
Image:Matt Cox: Backed by Nigel Davies to be Gloucester's long-term successor to Andy Hazell
Gloucester head coach Nigel Davies believes Matt Cox will be a natural long-term successor to Andy Hazell as openside flanker.
Freedom
Davies hopes playing Cox in a position with more freedom will allow the ex-Warriors man to fully express himself and find his rhythm.
"Coxy's brilliant: he'll do anything for you, anything you ask, but I think we've got to give him a bit of freedom in that seven role, and see what he can do," Davies said.
"There's a rhythm in any game and the good sevens get into that rhythm and they pick their moments and are very effective in them.
"Sometimes Coxy is so committed, he's so desperate to win and do well that he can almost negate his contribution by trying to do everything.
"So we're just working on that and having a feel for the game, and for the rhythm of the game, and when he does that and gets a run of games, I'm sure we'll see the best of him.
"I said to him in pre-season that I saw him more as a seven, but we haven't really had too much opportunity to play him there so far. But I'm sure he'll get some opportunities now, that's for sure."
