Preview: Gloucester v Bath
Gloucester will make two changes ¿ including one positional – for their Guinness Premiership showdown against Bath at Kingsholm on Saturday.
Gloucester will make two changes – including one positional – for their Guinness Premiership showdown against Bath at Kingsholm on Saturday.
Lesley Vainikolo and Gareth Delve will both return in the only changes to Dean Ryan's starting line-up from the side that beat Wasps last Sunday.
Vainikolo returns from a hamstring strain picked up against Saracens which means Iain Balshaw moves to full-back because Olly Morgan is ruled out with a dead leg. Delve will start at number eight against his former club with Luke Narraway moving to the bench.
The rest of the line-up remains intact from the one that scored three tries at Adams Park meaning a single point tomorrow will guarantee Gloucester a home tie in the play-offs semi-finals.
“These games are one-offs,” said head coach Dean Ryan.
“I think it will be pretty special between two clubs who are capable of playing some rugby and that is a great testament to the Guinness Premiership as a whole.
“The biggest pressure comes from within the group because we want to successful. Our victory over Wasps does not mean we have solved everything but it was significant in our development and we must try and back that up.
“We made a statement against Wasps, but it's not like we have crossed that hurdle and won't make a mistake again.
“We want to finish top because that would mean a huge amount to us over a nine month season and then we can move into the play-offs. This is a huge game for us and we will be ready for what should be a fantastic occasion.
“If both teams turn up and play then it could be a great game,” he said.
The bench is made up of a four-three forward split which means an extra back is included from last weekend's game.
Olivier Azam and Alasdair Dickinson will cover the front row, with Will James and Narraway the back other options. Scrum-half Gareth Cooper, utility back Willie Walker and winger Mark Foster are Ryan's three-quarter options.
Meanwhile, after thrashing Saracens last Saturday, Bath are raring to take on fierce rivals Gloucester for arguably the most important game of the season.
With the semi-final location hanging on the final score line of this match, Bath will be looking to continue with their impressive performances and clinch another victory, and a home semi-final spot.
Feeling relaxed, Steve Meehan is pragmatic about the last time Bath met Gloucester – a 10-5 win for Bath in awful weather at The Rec.
“There is no need for us to panic or be too concerned just at the moment. We may as well enjoy things whilst they are going well. I am really looking forward to the match,” he said.
In stark contrast to the last time the table topping sides faced each other, the sun is now shining and the ground is firm.
“We expect the day to be nice and fine,” said Meehan.
“Hopefully it will bring out the best in both teams.
“Both sides have played some good attractive rugby over the course of this season and both sides like to score tries. They will be aggressive in their decision making and we will see plenty of ball movement.”
Ensuring the squad are fully prepared, Meehan evaluated Gloucester's most dangerous players.
“Their forwards pack is getting better and better as the season progresses and that is always a dangerous thing,” he said.
“Ryan Lamb is someone who is widely spoken about and who is very important to their team. They have threats all over the place and we will have to be at our best to come up with a favourable result.”
With two changes to last weekend's squad, Bath are continuing to field a strong team in anticipation of a gruelling game. Having received treatment for a hamstring injury, Nick Abendanon will be rested for tomorrow, and hat-trick scorer, Tom Cheeseman, takes the place of Alex Crockett – who now moves to the bench.
Form: Gloucester Rugby will be out to extend their record of gaining a league point in their last 33 Guinness Premiership encounters since New Year's Day 2007. If they do so they will definitely be at home in the Guinness Premiership semi-finals. Gloucester have won their last three Premiership games since losing 14-17 at Worcester on 29 March, whilst their only home defeat in their last 22 Premiership matches was to Leicester on 9 February. Bath require just two match points to secure a home tie in the Guinness Premiership semi-finals (less if Wasps drop any points from their clash wth Leeds). Bath have won their last five games in all competitions since a 6-22 reversal at Sale on 28 March. Gloucester have beaten Bath just once in their last five encounters in the Premiership: 24-19 at Kingsholm on 2 September 2006.
The teams:
Gloucester: 15 Iain Balshaw, 14 Lesley Vainikolo, 13 Mike Tindall, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 James Simpson-Daniel, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Rory Lawson, 8 Gareth Delve, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Alex Brown, 4 Marco Bortolami (c), 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Andy Titterrell, 1 Nick Wood.
Replacements: 16 Olivier Azam, 17 Alasdair Dickinson, 18 Will James, 19 Luke Narraway, 20 Gareth Cooper, 21 Willie Walker, 22 Mark Foster.
Bath: 15 Joe Maddock, 14 Andrew Higgins, 13 Tom Cheesmen, 12 Olly Barkley, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 Butch James, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Daniel Browne, 7 Michael Lipman, 6 Jonny Faamatuainu, 5 Danny Grewcock, 4 Steve Borthwick (c), 3 Matt Stevens, 2 Lee Mears, 1 David Flatman,
Replacements: 16 Pieter Dixon, 17 Duncan Bell, 18 Peter Short, 19 Chris Goodman, 20 Nick Walshe, 21 Shaun Berne, 22 Alex Crockett.
Date: Saturday, May 10
Venue: Kingsholm
Kick-off: 15:00 (14:00 GMT)
Referee: Dave Pearson
Touch judges: Peter Huckle, Stuart Terheege
Assessor: Ed Morrison
Television match official: Laurie Bryant, Graham Hughes