By Phill Mason
SO WHY did we sign yet another back row forward? Well, the answer is simple Mat Gilbert is quality and Dean Ryan was fully aware of that.
I think everybody knows now that Mat is deaf. In fact, he is considered to be the only deaf professional sports person in the country, which is a pretty amazing fact in itself.
But not only is he a professional sportsman, he is a highly-skilled flanker.
At last week’s British & Irish Cup game away to Moseley, I was watching it from behind the posts – as I tend to these days – and it gave me such an amazing view. I could see this dominant, ever aware and tactically astute man mountain prowling along the defensive line.
Gilbert says that he looks around more than most players to ensure he isn’t missing anything, but that, to me, seems to add to his game. He always looks ready to make a tackle and it is not just his defence that has impressed me.
Having chosen to leave Bath, Gilbert came to Worcester in a bid to get more game-time despite arriving at a club which already had ten back rowers fighting it out for a starting position.
But he has come in and made an amazing start. In his last four appearances for Worcester, Gilbert has played all but five minutes of the games and scored three tries.
Before the season started I thought the seven shirt was going to be shared by Sam Betty and Leonardo Senatore, but now I am not sure if either of them is able to take it off ‘Gumbie’.
Caption: Mat Gilbert in action against Moseley in the British & Irish Cup. Picture by Andy Baldwin.