NEW YORK, NY – While the bigger news for most rugby fans on this side of the pond from Worcester Warriors camp was about USA Rugby double-code star Andrew Durutalo joining the struggling Premiership club, another transaction kind of flew under the radar. As per this Worcester News piece, Alan Solomans is now standing in for newly-appointed Eagles XV Head Coach, Gary Gold, while Gold is back in South Africa for an undetermined period.
According to Worcester Head Coach Carl Hogg:
“Basically with Gary being back in South Africa for a period of time Alan has come in and is filling that director of rugby role.”
With Gold not being available to USA Rugby until his contract ends after this season, could this move be a way of appeasing both Eagles and Warriors fans? After all, neither group was particularly thrilled with the arrangement as it stands. USA fans want their new coach here now, and Worcester supporters can’t be fond of having a lame duck Director of Rugby.
On the Aviva Premiership site, Gold said this:
“We are delighted to welcome Alan [a fellow South African] to the Club as he is someone who possesses huge experience after two decades at the top of the game. He will become an important member of the backroom set-up and the knowledge he will pass on to players will be invaluable as we look to get positive results on the pitch.”
Referring back to the Worcester News piece by Geoff Berkeley, Worcester were unable to confirm when Gold would be back from South Africa.
What does all this pure speculation mean?
The guess here is that Coach Gold will be taking the reigns as the Team USA coach sooner than what the current schedule calls for… and that would likely be good for all parties.
Changing gears…
Check out this week’s fancy-pants Fantasy Sports Network studio show, starring Chris Wyles:
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