Gloucester celebrate winning the 2011 LV Cup
Looking to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat at the hands of Harlequins, Head Coach Bryan Redpath makes five changes to his starting line up with Newcastle Falcons the visitors to Kingsholm on Saturday (kick off 3pm).
The defeat at the Stoop brought Gloucester’s recent winning run to an end although they remain in third place in the Aviva Premiership table. However, several of their rivals closed the gap on them.
So a return to winning ways is important for Gloucester as they look to maintain their challenge for a top four finish.
The one change in the back line sees Jonny May, 21 today, named on the right wing in place of Charlie Sharples who picked up a knock at the Stoop.
Nick Wood and Olivier Azam both return in the front row and Jim Hamilton and Alex Brown resume their second row partnership.
Finally, there is a welcome return to the first team squad for Brett Deacon who is named amongst the replacements. Deacon injured an ankle against La Rochelle back on December 19th.
Talking to the media ahead of the game, Redpath insists that all the focus this week has been on the Falcons and thoughts of games to come and playoffs have been banished.
“We’re concentrating on Newcastle. That’s all I’m interested in. I’m not interested in six games to go, top four finishes, play off semi finals or LV= Cup wins.”
“When you have a performance like last weekend, it’s a great eye opener just to see how easily you can be up there one minute and down there the next.”
“Last weekend was embarrassing and we haven’t hidden from that. There has to be some form of reaction to that result. We were poor.”
“We’ve watched a lot of video and asked a lot of questions this week and, ultimately, the proof will be in the pudding on Saturday. We’re not a bad side, we’ve come a long way.”
“We have to get our focus right, concentrate on our own game and make sure we execute.”
Gloucester Rugby:
Freddie Burns; Jonny May, Tim Molenaar, Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, Tom Voyce; Nicky Robinson, Rory Lawson; Nick Wood, Olivier Azam, Paul Doran-Jones; Jim Hamilton, Alex Brown; Alasdair Strokosch, Akapusi Qera, Luke Narraway (capt)
Replacements:
Scott Lawson, Alasdair Dickinson, Rupert Harden, Dave Attwood, Brett Deacon, Jordi Pasqualin, Tim Taylor, Henry Trinder