Last weekend, Gott was the last line of a Belgium defence that kept Portugal try-less for the first time in 44 Tests – a run dating back over five years – in the opening round of the Rugby Europe Championship.
That heroic rearguard action, cheered on by a bouncing 5,000-strong crowd inside the Stade Charles Tondreau in Mons, saw them protect a 10-6 half-time lead and hold on for a remarkable win after a pointless second-half.
Belgium forced Portugal into mistake after mistake and Os Lobos’ performance was a million miles away from the World Cup, where they beat Fiji, drew with Georgia and gave Wales and Australia a good game only a few months earlier.
“I have never been so happy in my life. As a rugby nation this is just what Belgium needed,” said Gott, still elated when talking to The Rugby Paper 48 hours after the victory.
As mystifying as the Portugal no-show was, it is unfathomable to think why the Belgium union decided to take yesterday’s home game against Poland back to the much smaller Stade de Pachy in Waterloo given how well the Mons venture went.
“I wasn’t fully aware of the support we would have in Mons. It is the first time we’ve played there and the noise from the crowd was incredible. You’d have thought the capacity was 10 times what it was with how passionate they were,” said the heavily tattoed Belgium No.15.
Having watched and admired Portugal’s back play at the World Cup Gott feared he could be a busy man last Saturday. But the 28-year-old Royal Navy aircraft engineer, who was born in Belgium, says credit must go to the heavy duty Belgium pack and the two centres for repelling the Portuguese.
This story is from the February 11, 2024 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 11, 2024 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
England show who's No.1
ENGLAND women’s head coach John Mitchell says his side will take valuable lessons from the 24-12 win over world champions New Zealand as they build towards their WXV1 title defence.
Skivington: We're going to roll dice and go for it
THE Cherry and Whites are the enigmas of the Premiership.
Looking to go one step beyond this time around
NE small step is what it will take for Bath to go one better than last season and secure the Premiership for the first time, but it would be one of the biggest taken by the club in the professional era.
Four-try England make it 17 wins on the spin
ENGLAND women opened the Allianz Stadium era at HQ with a victory over New Zealand to make it 17 wins on the bounce before their WXV title defence.
Time for Borthwick to prove his worth
HONEYMOON periods are not set in stone and in my estimation Steve Borthwick’s ends this summer. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still in good shape.
Barrington ready to power up the Mob
RICHARD Barrington has signed up to the Ampthill “Mob” reassured that he’ll still have a target on his back most weeks.
Skivington keen to build identity
GLOUCESTER won their first trophy for nine years last season and reached the Challenge Cup final, but when George Skivington went on holiday the day after the campaign ended the words in his head were never again.
Roebuck targets England success
WINNING a maiden England Test cap to top the best season of his career will not be enough for Sale winger Tom Roebuck.
Booth: Tough telling players I was leaving
TOBY Booth admits telling his Ospreys players that he would be leaving at the end of the season was one of the hardest things he has had to do in his career.
Stephens' debut try sees off old rivals
DORKING had to dig deep in another tight game between two old rivals, with the lead changing hands twice and result in doubt right up to the final whistle.
