Press Pass with Steve Lawrie

• 21 April 2021
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Get the latest from Assistant Forwards Coach Steve Lawrie as he spoke with press in the build-up to Friday night's Rainbow Cup home opener against Zebre.

On the Rainbow Cup and changing competition

"For us, the competition, and our aims for the competition, have not changed around about the opportunity it brings and the law variations, as well and the opportunity for us to play players that are required game time and deserve game time.

"So our preparation wont change but obviously the individual teams have. We are preparing as well as we can and ultimately the first three games are set anyway."

On the opportunity that the Rainbow Cup brings

"First of us it is a case of prepping. Its valuable games so whoever we play we will be ready to play against them.

"For me it is is making sure we are prepared as we can do for whatever form it is and it is others to decided on the product.

"For me it is a real opportunity for us to play and prepare as well as we can and that is where we are at the minute."

On Mike Willemse

"Mike Willemse has signed for London Irish but he'll stay with us until the end of the season."

On the signing of Pierce Phillips

"He played in Jersey first and then we played against him with Agen last year. He has huge physical potential and I know the Doncaster coach who used to coach at Jersey and I spoke with him at length and he gave us a glowing reference for him and we are pleased to have him in.

"We have had some issues in the second-row and with Fraser McKenzie retiring it was important we signed like for like and we have some competition there.

"Pierce is someone we are delighted to have and has a good attitude and is coachable and he is excited about the move and brings that experience form Agen."