Proud Loader watches pupils on the big stage (From Swindon Advertiser)

Proud Loader watches pupils on the big stage

7:20am Wednesday 15th February 2012 in Rugby By Andy Warren

WHILE the majority of fans were constantly biting their fingernails in England’s nervy 19-15 victory over Italy in the Six Nations, Swindon coach Neil Loader was able to watch the game at the Stadio Olimpico with a sense of pride, writes ANDY WARREN.

The Greenbridge Road club’s visit to Reading Abbey on Saturday was postponed for the second week in a row, leaving Loader free to watch an international match which featured two of his former pupils.

During a stint coaching in the Italian Super 10, Loader worked with prop Andrea Lo Cicero as head coach at L’Aquila and back rower Robert Barbieri when Under 21 coach of Rugby Parma, and was delighted to see the pair graduate to full international level.

“Andrea was just starting to break through when I was at L’Aquila so it is great that he has managed to go on and secure his place and have such a good career, and we always thought Rob (Barbieri) would go on to make the grade at international level,” said Loader.

“I am certainly proud to have played a small part in their careers, and I am glad they have both managed to achieve so much.

“They both played quite well I think, and Italy always have a strong pack so it was important they did.”

The Italians out-scored England two tries to one as they pushed Stuart Lancaster’s side all the way in Rome, which Loader said was a sign of the progress being made.

“They are definitely moving forward, there is no doubt about that, but their age old problem is that all of their strength is in the forwards,” he added.

“They are going through a similar transition in the backs to England, and the fact their two tries came from a couple of England mistakes shows that.

“But for me the real progress was shown in the 73,000 sell-out crowd, there were a few empty seats but that was because people could not get there due to snow.

“To see that many fans supporting Italy is amazing and they are so passionate, it really shows that the game is going places.”