Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Gloucester unchanged for trip to Harlequins
GLOUCESTER Rugby resume their battle for a top-four spot in the Gallagher Premiership when they take on Harlequins at the Stoop tomorrow – and they have named an unchanged starting XV.
The only changes to the matchday squad are among the replacements. Props Kyle Traynor and Gareth Denman get the nod, while Lewis Ludlow comes in for Jake Polledri, who has been called up by Italy for Six Nations duty.
Ollie Thorley and Callum Braley, who have trained with England and Italy respectively this week, are both available for selection.
It is third against fourth in the Premiership table and, having slipped up at Bristol last weekend, the Cherry & Whites would love to get back to winning ways to boost their end-of-season play-off hopes.
Head coach Johan Ackermann says his team will face a tough assignment at the Stoop.
“It’s crucial that we learn one or two things from the game at Bristol,” he said. “We had opportunities right until the dying moments and, if you look at the likes of Exeter and Saracens, they always find a way to win those games.
“It’s important that we’ve trained well this week and put that game behind us. The reality is that there’s nothing you can change about the past, but you can control what you do going forward and we have to get our mental and physical side ready for a big challenge on Sunday.
“Credit to Paul Gustard and his coaching staff and team, they’ve played great rugby these last few weeks and are on a winning streak. They’re a confident side. For us it’s going to be a massive challenge.”
Dai Young admits Wasps must beat Newcastle to keep their own Premiership play-off hopes alive.
Springboks star Willie Le Roux will make his 50th club appearance when Wasps host the Falcons at the Ricoh Arena today.
Fifth-placed Wasps trail Gloucester in fourth by five points, leaving rugby director Young candid on his side’s chances of an all-important top-four finish for the play-offs.
“This is a massive game and we have to win to stay in the mix for the top four really, although we do have to still the teams around us,” said Young. “Newcastle are scrapping for their lives as are most teams in the league at the moment, it’s that tight. “Every game is huge, every bonus point. It’s all to play for.”