JOHN Muggleton is delighted with the way Gloucester's players have responded to him over the last two weeks.
The defence coach has led the team along with backs coach Nick Walshe for the LV=Cup victories over Ospreys and Harlequins, but they have now handed the reins back to director of rugby David Humphreys and head coach Laurie Fisher.
Muggleton, who is leaving Gloucester at the end of the season, said: "Nick and I are exceptionally pleased with the effort they've put in over the last couple of weeks.
"Laurie's just turned up, he's been in Australia for two weeks so he's got a nice sun tan.
"Me and Nick are as pale as anything because we've been slaving away over the rugby ball but it's good to get your hands on the team and do a couple of things that might be a bit different and it keeps interest in the place as well.
"Nick and I have appreciated the opportunity but the players have responded really well which is even better."
With players away on international duty and other key men rested for the LV=Cup games, several of the club's youngsters have taken their chance to show what they can do.
Flanker Dan Thomas has scored tries in both games and Ollie Thorley went over against Ospreys when he became the youngest player to represent Gloucester at senior level.
Fellow wing Steph Reynolds shone when he came up against former England international Ugo Monye in the 25-7 win over Harlequins last Saturday, scoring a try but also earning praise from Muggleton for his defensive work.
Muggleton said: "Steph's been exceptional in the As. Steph's a talent, he's only very slight and he's got a young training age as well so as long as we can improve his strength he's got the speed and the attitude to go through and work on his game.
"That's the beauty of this competition, guys like Steph get to play against like Monye etcetera and I thought he handled him defensively very well."
Meanwhile, Muggleton has revealed the pride he felt at watching Gloucester's Billy Twelvetrees and Jonny May helping England beat Wales 21-16 against the odds at the Millennium Stadium in the opening game of the Six Nations.
He said: "Billy Twelvetrees was tremendous when he came on, I think he was a big part of turning it around.
"I think the momentum from the last 10 minutes that England got from someone like Billy going on carried them across the line so we're always proud that our players are selected to play for their countries and it was good to see them do well.
"I thought they (Wales) went after Jonny a bit. They put some bombs up for him but he handled them well and did some good work around the field."
