Nottingham Rugby’s new head coach says his squad have been trying a few new tactics in pre-season – as the team’s final fixture list is confirmed.
Ian Costello said the Green and Whites have been training with the ball from the start of their 2016-17 preparations – as he looks to create a ‘positive but prgamatic’ style of play.
Today it was confirmed Nottingham will start their Greene King IPA Championship campaign at home against London Scottish at The Bay, on Sunday 4th September (3pm kick-off).
Other early season home highlights include the visit of London Irish on Friday, September 30.
Costello appeared on this week’s edition of Notts TV’s Sports Week, as a special guest alongside Notts County defender Mike Edwards.
Costello, whose signing was announced in April, said: “We’ve just had five pretty heavy weeks and the focus usually would be on strength and conditioning.
“I suppose this year its been a little bit different – it’s been much more integrated between rugby and strength and conditioning so we’ve laid a pretty solid foundation.
“What we’ve hopefully put in place is having the ball in hand since day one. So we’ve layered in a lot of rugby in phase one and we’re now into phase two which is more about match preparation.
“The most impressive thing I think has been the attitude and the way the lads go about their work.
“So over the next few weeks we’ll do a little bit more on the quality – so we’ll get involved in a little bit more situation and match stuff and that will give us a better idea of where the squad are at.”
The Irishman arrived from PRO12 side Munster, on a two-year deal, and revealed he’s now settling into the city and searching for a permanent home.
He said: “There’s excellent staff there and for me it’s important I embrace that and find what the best elements of the club are.
“Then on top of that it’s about me shaping the parts of the environment that I feel we could add a lot of value and shaping the style of play in the way we want to play the game.”
“We want to play a very positive game but I think it’s important that its pragmatic.”
For the full interview with Ian Costello watch Sports Week on Notts TV from 7.30pm on Wednesday, July 7 on Freeview channel 7, Sky 117, Virgin 159.
