REJUVENATED Mike Tindall will continue to be a vital part of Gloucester's playing squad next term, tips Jim Hamilton.
Gloucester player/backs coach Tindall this week revealed he is close to signing a new contract, to continue his current role next season.
The 34-year-old centre has been in fine playing form this season, revitalised by his new coaching challenge under rugby director Nigel Davies.
Under Bryan Redpath last term Tindall was deemed surplus to requirements with the Cherry and Whites and was headed for the Kingsholm exit.
But then Redpath left for Sale, Davies arrived from Llanelli and set about building a revamped coaching team.
England's most-capped midfielder has built an important niche within that set-up, impressing Davies at every turn.
And now Kingsholm skipper Hamilton has backed Tindall to sustain this season's strong form next term.
Hamilton explained: "Tinds has had a great season, he's really got to grips with his coaching role and it's been said before, but that has definitely revitalised him on the field.
"He's such a great defender and organiser, and his influence and experience should never be underestimated.
"The new challenge of coaching has brought something entirely different to his game, and he's really helping the younger players improve all the time.
"Look at guys like Will James, they are still putting it in and age has been no barrier for them.
"Andy Hazell is still a top-quality player too, and when players are playing well, then they deserve to keep going, it's as straightforward as that.
"Tinds is in that category too, and he's proven once again how important he is to us.
"From a forward's point of view Tinds is great, because he ties a lot of things together in our side.
"He's great over the ball at the tackle, he's clearly very physical, and he knows what to do to keep the ball, to keep the continuity going.
"It's important to have experienced guys like that in the squad, for the balance of the team, and for the development of the younger players."
Hamilton still cannot quite believe he will not be at Kingsholm next year, when he will head off to Montpellier.
The 30-year-old lock expects Gloucester to go from strength to strength under Davies in the next few years.
While he believes Gloucester's first team will continue to improve, he also thinks the club's academy will step up to new levels too.
Reigning Premiership champions Harlequins lifted the LV=Cup this term by fielding all-but their second team for the Anglo-Welsh competition.
Hamilton reckons rival Premiership clubs will aim to follow Quins' lead in the next few seasons, and sees no reason why Gloucester cannot be at the top of that queue.
He continued: "Harlequins winning the LV=Cup with effectively a development team is seriously impressive.
"Their strength in depth is growing all the time, and they have built up their squad over a fairly long time now with Conor O'Shea.
"That's probably the blueprint then that other sides will try to follow.
"But Gloucester are in a great place with the academy improving all the time, and that's already from a place of strength anyway.
"Look at the top players that have already come through the academy system.
"And then the link with Hartpury College only strengthens that still further.
"So it will be interesting to see how it develops in the future, but I don't see any reason why Gloucester cannot be in a similar situation to Quins some way down the line."
