Four changes for Redpath's Gloucester
Head Coach Bryan Redpath makes four changes to his Gloucester Rugby starting line up as his side return to Heineken Cup action with Biarritz the visitors to Kingsholm on Saturday.
With the game at Newcastle Falcons called off last weekend, it will have been a fortnight since Gloucester last played and the fact that the game is on is largely down to the efforts of the Gloucester ground staff this week.
Three changes in the backs see James Simpson-Daniel move out of the midfield and onto the wing in place of Charlie Sharples with Tim Molenaar taking his place in the centre whilst Rory Lawson is back at scrum half.
Up front, Alasdair Dickinson gets his first start at loose head since October 24th and Dave Attwood returns to partner Alex Brown in the second row.
Of note on the bench is the return of Freddie Burns for the first time since undergoing surgery on his calf muscles.
Redpath when announcing his side declared that Biarritz, unlike many French teams, are very capable of playing well and winning on the road.
“They’ve always travelled well and been one of the most consistent Heineken Cup sides out there.”
“Very durable and very workmanlike in some of their performances to win. They can grind out victories with Yachvili playing field position and kicking penalties.”
“They’re a very smart Heineken Cup side when they’re playing away from home.”
Biarritz meanwhile have named a side full of attacking ability with England centre Ayoola Erinle at No.12 and USA speedster Takudzwa Ngwenya out wide on the right wing.
Powerful No.8 Imanol Harinordoquy is the star in a powerful Biarritz pack but he will be ably backup by some international class muscle in the second row where Experienced French lock Jérôme Thion partners Puma Manuel Carizza.
The teams
Gloucester: 15 Olly Morgan, 14 James Simpson-Daniel, 13 Tim Molenaar, 12 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, 11 Lesley Vainkolo, 10 Nicky Robinson, 9 Rory Lawson, 8 Gareth Delve (captain), 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Alex Brown, 4 Dave Attwood, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Scott Lawson, 1 Alasdair Dickinson.
Replacements: 16 Darren Dawidiuk, 17 Nick Wood, 18 Pierre Capdevielle, 19 Adam Eustace, 20 Luke Narraway, 21 Dave Lewis, 22 Freddie Burns, 23 Tom Voyce.
Biarritz Olympique: 15 Paul Couet-Lannes, 14 Takudzwa Ngwenya, 13 Arnaud Mignardi, 12 Ayoola Erinle, 11 Ilikena Bolakoro, 10 Valentin Courrent, 9 Yann Lesgourgues, 8 Imanol Harinordoquy, 7 Samiu Vahafolau, 6 Magnus Lund, 5 Manuel Carizza, 4 Jérôme Thion, 3 Rémy Hugues, 2 Romain Terrain, 1 Eduard Coetzee.
Replacements: 16 Benoit August, 17 Yvan Watremez, 18 Mosese Moala, 19 Trevor Hall, 20 Fabien Alexandre, 21 Benoit Guyot, 22 Laurent Tranier, 23 Nicolas Brusque,
Date: Saturday, January 16
Venue: Kingsholm
Kick-off: 15.00 GMT
Referee: George Clancy
