Back three hold the key, says Morgan
» BEN Morgan believes Gloucester Rugby have “the most exciting back three” in the Gallagher Premiership and getting them into the game tomorrow night will be key to beating Saracens.
The Cherry and Whites host their Premiership rivals in the quarter-final of the European Challenge Cup this weekend and the three quarters in each side look set to be full of world-class talent.
Gloucester head coach George Skivington will likely start with Welsh wonder Louis Rees-zammit on one wing and England international Ollie Thorley on the other, with quick-stepping escape artist Santiago Carreras at full-back.
England’s second-highest try scorer Jonny May continues to work his way back from surgery on a knee injury but is closing in on a return to provide an end-of-season boost.
Meanwhile, in the black of Saracens, the Premiership’s top try-scorer Max Malins, who scored four tries last weekend in a 38-16 victory over Worcester Warriors, is set to start on one wing with former British and Irish Lion Sean Maitland on another and former England international Alex Goode at full-back. Quite simply high-quality players in every direction.
Former England number eight Morgan, pictured, said his job, and the other Cherry and White forwards in a pack with a growing reputation, is to go toe-to-toe with the Saracens pack to provide a platform for the star men in the backline to sparkle.
He said: “We have got to have a very disciplined, physical performance against Saracens.
“They are a well-drilled outfit, they have got their blueprint of rugby they play and like to play in certain areas.
“Everyone knows how they are going to play but it is attritional and you have got to wear it, be physical yourselves, be smart and not overplay too much.
“But equally, we have got to back ourselves and back our ability, we have got some outstanding attacking rugby players in our squad who cause threats whenever they play so it is our job as a forward pack to give our backs clean, quick ball to try and get their hands on the ball and expose Saracens.
“We have probably got the most exciting back three in the league so I am sure they are going to be looking to put some pressure on our guys too.”
Gloucester’s backline certainly shone brightly last weekend with a 64-0 win over derby rivals Bath Rugby at Kingsholm, but Saracens were equally impressive against the Blue, Black and White earlier in the season, winning 71-17 at the Rec back in October.
Morgan, who looks to be in line for an almighty head-to-head battle at number eight with Billy Vunipola, added: “We have shown that we can open teams up but those games only happen every so often, it will be a different challenge this weekend.
“It is knockout rugby on Friday night and we all love that here.”