Jim Hamilton has angered rugby fans as he attempted to justify Gloucester's team selection for their trip to face Leinster.
Jim Hamilton was reacting to Gloucester naming a hugely inexperienced side to take on Leinster, with 13 changes to the side that defeated Bordeaux last weekend.
𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐰𝐨 🏆
Your Cherry & Whites to face the four-time winners in Dublin👊
1️⃣4️⃣ Academy graduates
👨✈️ @bipmeehan skippers the team
🏥 @alexcraig_1 & Harry Taylor return
📰 https://t.co/AVQz5yt6Eb
🤝 Teamsheet proudly sponsored by @BPE_Solicitors
#LEIvGLO // 🔵🍒 pic.twitter.com/wA2lPiLEEs— Gloucester Rugby (@gloucesterrugby) December 15, 2022
If both sides were at full strength, this would have been one of the games of the round. However with Leinster at full strength against a Gloucester side that clearly have other priorities in the Gallagher Premiership, the result looks inevitable.
This isn't the first time this has happened to Leinster. Montpellier sent a weakened team to the RDS in January, and they were annihilated in a 89-7 defeat to Leinster.
However, like Gloucester seem to be this weekend, Montpellier played the long game and reached the knockout stages of the tournament. It's possible that a team could make it through to the next round with one victory due to the format of the tournament.
Gloucester have Saracens and Leicester coming up in vital games over the festive period, and seemed to have admitted defeat with their line up for tomorrow night's game.
However, Jim Hamilton seems to justify the Gloucester line up in a tweet earlier today. The former Scotland player claimed, "Until the Champions Cup is a fair playing field you can't expect Prem teams to field their strongest team against a team like Leinster who are fully loaded and rested"
I have just seen Gloucesters team to play Leinster in Dublin on Friday (a six day turn around) which is mental.
Until the champions cup is a fair playing field you can’t expect Prem teams to field their strongest team against a team like Leinster who are fully loaded and rested.— Jim Hamilton (@jimhamilton4) December 15, 2022
His tweet certainly didn't sit well with fans on twitter. The type of money spent in the Gallagher Premiership wouldn't be seen in the URC. While it can be argued it's a more physical, competitive league, Gloucester had the same turn around time as Leinster.
Brian O'Driscoll was among a number of people who made their feelings clear to Jim Hamilton after the Gloucester team was named.
But they both played on the same day last weekend????! 🤷🏻♂️
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) December 15, 2022
Ahh Jim. Took Leinster 17hrs to get to poxy Le Havre.. having to fly to alternative airport and get taxis the last 200km.
As for "rested".. 11 who start v Racing start here again.
I've no problem with unfair comparisons but the two u mention are off the mark. https://t.co/LDMMh6u1ER— Tom Coleman (@LeinsterRoyalty) December 15, 2022
This is… a take.
Both teams played last Saturday while Leinster are in a 3rd straight week with a first choice squad.
Although, the EPCR did ruin the European game; but that was because of clubs revolting and not caring… which they are still doing 8 years on https://t.co/q55eU0d0gi— CaolanSRugby (@CaolanSRugby00) December 15, 2022
Changes made by @gloucesterrugby for their last "mental" six day turnaround = 2/15.
Changes made by @gloucesterrugby for this six day turnaround 13/15.
Have an extra day to prepare for Leicester anyway.
Leinster "fully loaded and rested" (coming back from France also 6 days)— J.B. Claims (@jbclaims) December 15, 2022
For those travelling to Dublin in the freezing cold weather just before Christmas, it will be bitterly disappointing not to see their favourites players.
However, until a new format is agreed, this trend could continue against Irish teams.
SEE ALSO: Stephen Jones Launches Vicious Twitter Attack At Rassie Erasmus
