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Ryan banking on maturity

Friday 16th May 2008

Dean Ryan: Hoping his players are mature enough

Gloucester boss Dean Ryan has dismissed any notion of his team under-estimating Leicester in Sunday's Guinness Premiership play-off clash at Kingsholm.

Ryan's men topped the Premiership table after 22 games, finishing 10 points above the Tigers who claimed fourth spot on a dramatic final weekend when they edged out Harlequins and Sale Sharks.

The form guide points to Gloucester booking a place against Wasps or Bath at Twickenham on May 31 for what would be their third Premiership final appearance in six seasons.

On both previous visits, in 2003 and 2007, Gloucester were thumped - 39-3 by Wasps, then 44-16 by Leicester.

"Leicester are very dangerous," warned Ryan.

"There has been a lot written about their form over a period of time, which is a separate argument.

"On the day, when you look at their playing list and their experience at this level, they are very capable of winning a game like this one and going on and winning the whole thing.

"I see the threat. We are fully aware of what they are capable of bringing to this game.

"We were well beaten last year, but I would like to think a year on we've matured and we are better for it."

Ryan is hopeful that Gloucester's outstanding Fijian flanker Akapusi Qera - left "battered and bruised" after a stunning display during an epic 8-6 win against Bath last Saturday - will be fit, while England centre Mike Tindall looks on course to shake off an ankle problem.

"The nature of the play-offs means you have got the four best sides in the country in them, and you can easily win or lose those games," Ryan added.

"It is very much sudden death and we have got to play accordingly.

"You can search for formulas but they are just not there. It is about working hard during the week, it's about getting things right that you want to do and then applying them in the game, it's as simple as that.

"If we don't, we will lose because we are playing against a good side. If we do, we stand a good chance of winning."