Gloucester take on Pau tomorrow evening in what will determine who wins the group and takes home the home tie in the quarter finals. Pau currently lead the group with 24 with Gloucester trailing by three. Tom Savage has been named as captain as the Cherry and Whites set out to overturn the six point deficit and the three points difference to take the top spot.
Key men
Gloucester have set out a very strong pack which will be key to their game plan as they look to target a strong set piece. The scrum was key to their attack when they played Pau in round one.
With Ross Moriaty, Lewis Ludlow and Ben Morgan setting up in the back row it’s sure to be a game where they look to carry hard around the fringes and dominate physically.
With a heavy set tight five they’re sure to worry the Pau pack and if they utilise their line-out effectively the platform to play more expansive rugby will be there.
Providing they get this platform an experienced backline will go to work trying to penetrate one of the best opposition backlines around. With experienced All Black Conrad Smith in the Pau midfield Symons and Twelvetrees will have their work cut out.
Gloucester must utilise quick speed out wide
With the likes of Smith and Slade defending the centre channel for Pau it’s key that Gloucester push the ball out wide as early as possible. Ollie Thorley and Henry Purdy have bags of pace and will look to target the space out wide.
Gloucester will carry hard up the middle of the park to create this wide channel and if they get on top and create turnovers look for Vellacott and Burns to deliver quick ball on the counter.
Burns hasn’t under estimated Pau and said that following the loss away they had to get a good run together and that they expected the group to come down to this game, ”When we lost out there we knew we couldn’t afford any more slip-ups and we’ve got on pretty well in the group.”
Burns stated that Gloucester will be aware of Pau’s danger men saying ”They’ve got some top quality players and they’re going to be a tough outfit, we prepared well and everyone is looking forward to a big challenge.”
Fortress Kingsholm
Gloucester, unbeaten this season in 11 games in-front of the roaring ‘Shed’ will be a force for anyone and as they look to continue that form into tomorrow’s game.
Burns explained how much last years run to the final meant to everyone involved at the club and stated ”We need to win…..It was a massive achievement to get to that final, we felt like we were in a position to win it, but we didn’t quite perform well on the day and that was disappointing.”
Gloucester are guaranteed a position in the quarter finals, but it cannot be understated just how much a win tomorrow would mean for the club to achieve a home advantage. Here’s the scenario depending on the result, http://lastwordonrugby.com/2018/01/16/gloucester-secure-quarter-final-spot-in-agen-victory/
Head to Head
Pau head into the match having won four of their last five compared to Gloucester three out of their five. Both sides are coming off the back of a victory and will be looking to continue that winning streak.
Their only previous meeting having ended 27-21 to Pau.
Expect plenty of counter attacking rugby following on from their round one meeting which resulted in 29 turnovers and five stolen lineouts.