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PREVIEW: Gloucester not underestimating Harlequins despite Stoop turmoil

Despite Harlequins entering this weekend’s tie on a run of losses and the news that Director of rugby John Kingston will be departing at the end of the season, head coach Johan Ackermann isn’t taking the game for granted. Coming off back to back defeats to London Irish and Saracens, Quins lie in ninth, 20 points behind fourth placed Wasps. John Kingston’s men will be hoping to turn that run of results around at Kingsholm on Saturday.

Gloucester also enter the match following a heavy a defeat at the hands of Exeter and so it’ll be the perfect opportunity for both sides to return to winning ways.

Quins not an easy tie despite table position

Speaking to the media Ackermann said ”I suppose it is a tough season for them but again our season is not where we want it to be and obviously after Sunday we were all disappointed with the result so it’s going to be a touch old game. I think any rugby player when it gets tough you don’t like it, there’s a lot to play for for your own goals you set as individuals etc. so we can’t underestimate them but first of all we must make sure we get our performance better.”

The 46-10 defeat to Exeter dented Gloucester’s hopes for the play-offs as they fall five points adrift from the top four. Ackermann acknowledged that a lot of silly mistakes were involved in the defeat and that they must cut these out if they are to overturn Quins. ”If you go to make those silly mistakes and you play sides like Exeter, Saracens and Wasps, they’re good enough to punish you. You won’t see the ball for the next five or 10 minutes or they’ll walk away with points and that’s where we need to grow against those kind of sides that are so well disciplined with ball in hand to make sure we cut down silly mistakes even more.”

With the likes of Tim Visser, Mike Brown and Joe Merchant Harlequins pose a big threat especially if the forwards, laden with talent can get them enough ball. Gloucester will need to be patient and remain disciplined if they’re to keep the score down to a minimum. It won’t just be Quins who look to play an expansive running style as Ackermann insists that Gloucester themselves are improving in this department.

Ackermann focused on own gameplan

”If you look at stats only and not results, there’s a lot to be positive about. Our tires are more, our running metres are more, our offloads are more so the players are really starting adapt to the way we want to play, it’s just that execution and decision-making that sometimes is letting us down. We can only hope and believe that there will be great weather on Saturday. At the A league game on Monday night it was constantly raining so that didn’t help, I don’t know how that leaves the pitch, what state on Saturday, but we must play the conditions.”

With Harlequins DoR John Kingston leaving at the end of the season the club has come under heavy scrutiny over the lack of development of home grown coaches and to what they have left to play for. Ackermann isn’t worried about how his opponents will play, focusing fully on his own teams performance. ” It’s an unknown factor as to which team will pitch up and what state they will be. The most important thing is how we’re going to come out of the blocks and perform.”

Cherry and Whites injury update

Giving a player update, Ackermann said that scrum half Willi Heinz will be a doubt for this weekend as his full diagnosis continues. Gloucester are still waiting on Tom Marshall’s availability following his bang to the head. He is going through the concussion protocol. Jason Woodward has failed his concussion protocol following a knock in training last week.

Richard Hibbard remains out following a bout of illness.

Semi-final not on the mind

Ackermann insists that next weeks Challenge Cup semi-final isn’t in the mind when it comes to selection as he wants to pick the best squad available to face a Harlequins side that are in turmoil.