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PREVIEW: Gloucester vs Pau

Gloucester Rugby play host to Pau at Kingsholm tonight in the final group of pool matches in the European Challenge Cup. The Cherry and Whites must win by over seven points to ensure a home-quarter final while anything less than this will see the French side finish as group winners.

Johann Ackermann’s side have a ricPREVIEW:h history in this competition losing out to Stade Français in last year’s final, with the Aviva Premiership team lifting the trophy as recently as 2015.

Gloucester have won their last four pool matches beating both Zebre and Agen home and away since their opening game defeat in Pau.

The home-side will be out for revenge at Kingsholm tonight and here is everything that you need to know about the match.

What time is kick-off?

The match gets underway at 7:45pm and it can be followed live on Sky Sports Action from 7pm. BBC Radio Gloucestershire will also have live coverage. Keep up to date with all the build-up on www.parklifesport.com and on Twitter @Parklife_Sport

How is Gloucester’s recent form?

Disappointing results at both Wasps and Northampton have stifled the Cherry and Whites progress in the Aviva Premiership.  An unconvincing win at home to Sale the only bright spark in a poor run for Gloucester, who do still have an 100% record at home this year. In the European Challenge cup however, Gloucester have been excellent, returning victorious from both Italy and France, against Zebre and Agen respectively.

The recent return of Ross Moriarty has lifted morale in the Gloucester camp and in front of the Shed at Kingsholm, they will expect to put in another good European performance.

What is the latest team news?

Gloucester make 11 changes as they welcome French side Pau to Kingsholm in the European Rugby Challenge Cup on Friday. Jason Woodward, Ross Moriarty, Jeremy Thrush and Henry Purdy are the only players to keep their places from their 45-24 win against Agen last week.

Tom Savage comes in to captain the side, while the much talked about Ben Vellacott starts at scrum-half after making the 45-man England Elite Training squad.

Pau have bought a host of household names from the South of France, with experienced All-Blacks Colin Slade and Conrad Smith starting in the backs. Gloucester fans may be more familiar with Steffon Armitage and Frank Halai starting for the visitors, both have plied their trade in the Premiership in the past.

What happened the last time the two sides met?

Back in October, Gloucester opened up their Challenge Cup campaign with a 27-21 defeat against Pau at the Stade du Hameau. The Cherry and Whites went scoreless for 55 minutes but battled back to within six points with ten minutes to play. A way ward cross-field kick from Gloucester fell straight to opposition winger Frank Halai who ran the length of the pitch to seal the win for the French side.

 Are there any tickets left?

Yes. Tickets are currently available in all four stands but be sure to get to Kingsholm early to avoid disappointment.

Adult tickets are £42.

Juniors are £12.

What’s been said?

Gloucester captain Tom Savage expects a better result against Pau this time around. He said “They are really big up front and they pride themselves on their set piece play so we need to get some ascendency up front. We played a mixed team and we started poorly. But we have worked on our starts and we are getting results.”

 

Parklife Sport Verdict

I’m going for Gloucester 16-13 Pau.

Gloucester will get the better of Pau and maintain their outstanding home record in a tense low-scoring encounter. While Billy Burns may struggle to handle Colin Slade, I believe Gloucester’s superior forward play will show.