Chris Cusiter relishing Bryan Redpath link-up

Scotland scrum-half Chris Cusiter is relishing the opportunity to work with boyhood hero Bryan Redpath again following his close season move to Sale.
“Bryan being on the coaching staff here was a big factor in me coming here,” Cusiter explained to TRP.
“I did a training session with Bryan before the World Cup in ’07 when he came up to Murrayfield and I learned a hell of a lot in the one hour we had together.
“It kind of stuck with me that if I ever had the opportunity to work with him again it would be great for my development and one I should seriously consider.
“I grew up watching him play for Scotland; he was such a good technician and an unbelievable passer of the ball.
“Working with him again has been good so far and I’ll definitely be picking his brains for tips at every opportunity.”
Sale will hope that Cusiter fares much better than their last big name signing from Glasgow – rangy lock Richie Gray, who failed to make any impact at the Sharks in his one-season stay.
Cusiter, who has won 68 caps for his country and one for the Lions, arrives in Salford as a direct replacement for Dwayne Peel, and the 31-year-old appreciates he has big boots to fill.
“Dwayne was here a long time and is a very good player, one of the best scrum halves in the world,” he said. “So, yes I do have big shoes to fill, but the coaches signed me for my qualities and what I can bring to the team.
“Last season I was injury free and played in a lot of games for Glasgow and we had a great run in reaching the final of the Rabo.
“I’ll try and do what I did for Glasgow and bring the experience I’ve gained from playing at the top level for a number of years with me.
“I’ve never played in the Premiership before, so that’s exciting for me, too, and in the few weeks I’ve been here I’ve really enjoyed the set-up; the environment and culture is great and everybody is very down to earth – similar to what I have come from in a way.”
Cusiter missed Scotland’s summer tour after suffering from concussion in Glasgow’s defeat to Leinster in the Rabo final. He hopes to be a part of Vern Cotter’s plans and eventually go on and play in a third World Cup.
His first priority though is to stave off competition for the Sale No.9 jersey from youngsters Will Cliff and Nathan Fowles, who, Redpath feels, will bring the best out of his fellow Scot.
“Cliffy and Nathan brought a lot out of Dwayne last year and he probably had one of his best seasons for some time,” Redpath said.
“I think it will be the same with Cus, he’ll thrive on the fact that these young boys are a year older and more experienced and pushing him hard for a spot in the team. I’m sure he’ll be a big asset for us. Chris has got a really good service which gives the No.10 some more time on the ball and will allow us to play a little bit quicker.
“Last year it was about consolidating our position and sometimes we kicked more than we wanted to. But we’re a year down the line now, with not too many changes to the squad, and we’ll be looking to play more 15-man rugby – we’ve got to.”
JON NEWCOMBE
*This article was first published in The Rugby Paper on August 31.