Gloucester eye bigger awards

David Humphreys admitted that winning the European Challenge Cup wasn't on his agenda when he took over as the Director of Rugby at Gloucester at the start of the season.

But now he believes his side has a springboard for next season to challenge the best teams in Europe – especially if they can make it into the Champions Cup courtesy of the play-off place secured by beating Edinburgh 19-13 at Twickenham Stoop on Friday.

"We think this is a huge achievement because it is not something we talked about doing at the start of the season when we had 25 new players and a completely new coaching team," said Humphreys.

"At that stage all we talked about was improving week in, week out, so that by the end of the season we were a better side.

"Perhaps we all thought it was going to be easier than it actually was, but at least now we still have a lot to play for over the next three games.

"We will keep on playing for every point in the Premiership and now this win has given us a route into the Champions Cup.

"It's hard with two weeks to go to know who we will play in the play-off.

"The foundations are there or next season and we know we can compete with anyone."

Ironically, Gloucester could end up facing Edinburgh again in the first of two play-off games that could yet take them into the Champions Cup.

They will face the seventh placed team in the Pro12 table – the position currently filled by the Scottish capital side.

"We haven't made it easy for ourselves in a number of games in recent weeks, but the character of the side has always shone through," added Humphreys.

"I was hugely relieved to have squeezed through, but the only thing that mattered tonight was the result and I'm delighted for the players and the fans."

Source:  @ERChallengeCup