GLOUCESTER-BLUES HEAD-TO-HEAD

It’s a huge game for Cardiff Blues as they take on Gloucester in the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup at Kingsholm. So how do the two teams match up? Rugby correspondent SIMON THOMAS casts his eye over the head-to-head battles from 15 to 1.

TOM MARSHALL 8 MATTHEW MORGAN 7 Signed from the Chiefs in 2015, versatile New Zealander Marshall is a real class act, a quality footballer with a physical presence who has been keeping James Hook out of the side. It can be a mixed bag with Morgan, but his running from broken play has been one of the Blues’ key attacking weapons this season.

CHARLIE SHARPLES 7 BLAINE SCULLY 7

Born in Hong Kong, but Gloucester-raised, Sharples is a local lad made good, with four England caps to his name. A former athlete, he clocked 11.3secs over 100m and has a 40m time of 4.82secs. In other words, he is quick. Scully is no slouch either and has become a real fans’ favourite with his wholehearted approach.

HENRY TRINDER 6 REY LEE-LO 7

Swindon-born Trinder – a skilful, elusive centre – was once the great white hope of English rugby, called up to the national side for the game against the Barbarians in May 2014. But he has been ravaged by injuries in the last few years, while Lee-Lo was impressive against Leinster last week with his attacking awareness.

BILLY TWELVETREES 7 STEVE SHINGLER 7

It’s easy to forget Twelvetrees is actually a Lion, having been called up to the 2013 tour of Australia. It’s two years since the man nicknamed 36 – think about it – won the last of his 22 England caps, but a key club man with his distribution and physicality. Shingler has been a fine signing, adept at both 10 and 12.

JONNY MAY 8 ALEX CUTHBERT 7

The former Hartpury College team-mates go head-to-head in a fascinating battle between two men who have been in and out of their national teams of late. May is very fast and very elusive, although he sometimes can be a bit loose, while Cuthbert’s work-rate is readily acknowledged by Blues coaches and fans alike.

BILLY BURNS 6 GARETH ANSCOMBE 7

The younger brother of Leicester’s Bath-bound fly-half Freddie Burns, Billy has a good passing game and likes a chip over top. Maybe a question over his control. Anscombe’s season has again been injury-disrupted, but he’s had half a dozen games back now and there were flashes of what he’s capable of against Leinster last week.

WILLI HEINZ 8 LLOYD WILLIAMS 7

Christchurch-man Heinz has good pedigree, with 50-plus Super Rugby games for the Crusaders under his belt, and he’s a good organising scrum-half general. Williams’ experience gets him the nod ahead of his young namesake Tomos, who really caught the eye with his two-try display out in Dublin last Saturday.

PADDY MCALLISTER 7 TAUFA’AO FILISE 6

Ulsterman McAllister is a solid scrummager, while his ball carrying ability is a major asset. Tight-head was a problem for the Blues out in Leinster, with their scrum suffering badly, so they’ve turned to the old warhorse Filise. He’s been an outstanding servant, but he will be 40 in May and it’s a big ask for this big game.

RICHARD HIBBARD 8 KRISTIAN DACEY 7

What a season Hibbard is having. His consistent excellence has led many to question why he’s been ignored by Wales while he’s even being touted for a Lions call by some. Up against a man picked ahead of him for the Welsh squad he will have a point to prove, but Dacey has had a fine season too, topping the tackle count in Dublin.

JOSH HOHNECK 7 GETHIN JENKINS 8

Another Kiwi, Pukekohe-product Hohneck is in his first season with Gloucester, having being part of the Highlanders side that lifted the Super Rugby trophy last year. Can pack down on either side and makes an impact with his ball carrying and defence. Having the legendary Jenkins back for his first start since December is a timely boost.

TOM SAVAGE 7 GEORGE EARLE 7

One of Gloucester’s longest-serving players, having made 143 appearances since his debut in 2011, Londoner Savage is the team’s enforcer, a very physical, confrontational player. The Blues missed Earle when he was absent for eight weeks following his controversial suspension and his grunt and graft will be valuable in the boilerhouse.

JEREMY THRUSH 7 JARRAD HOEATA 6

Two All Blacks who’ve had very differing times since arriving in the UK. The 11-cap Thrush has become a talisman of the Gloucester pack, bringing lineout technique, as well as a physical presence at 6ft 6ins and 18st 8lbs. It hasn’t really happened for Hoeata since he joined from the Highlanders in 2014 although he’s had some better moments this term.

ROSS MORIARTY 8 SAM WARBURTON 9

A blindside battle royale as the two Wales back row colleagues go head-to-head for the first time. Moriarty has been the breakthrough player of the past year, with his progress illustrated by the fact he’s been keeping Taulupe Faletau out of the national side, while Warburton has been right back to his very best. A contest worth the price of admission in itself.

BEN MORGAN 7 NICK WILLIAMS 7

Former Scarlets No.8 Morgan has seen his career stagnate somewhat since he won the last of his 31 England caps in 2015, amid serious injury issues, but he remains one of the most powerful ball-carriers in the game, along with Williams, whose absence for much of this season with calf trouble has been a big loss for the Blues.

JACOB ROWAN 6 JOSH NAVIDI 7

Yorkshireman Rowan is a former captain of England U20s and was the youngest-ever skipper of Leeds, for whom he made more than 100 appearances before joining Gloucester in 2014. Has emerged from the shadow of Matt Kvesic this term, making his mark in defence in particular. As for Navidi, well he’s just the ultimate club man, equally effective right across the back row.