Preview - Gloucester v Exiles
Robinson to sit back and watch the future unfolding
It might be a sideshow to the real thing, but – for Andy Robinson at least – Sunday's Challenge Cup final between Gloucester and London Irish at the Stoop is very much a main event.
The England coach will have proof of two issues. One of them will rest comfortably in his mind immediately, but the other he will enjoy immensely. He will, as he sits down in his seat at the start of the game, be able to reflect that if he does manage to survive what looks to be a doomed World Cup campaign, the future is bright indeed.
Firstly, he will have proof that the Premiership is very firmly established as the strongest competition outside of the Heineken Cup.
This may not sit too comfortably bearing in mind the ongoing club v country argument – the strength of England's clubs will lend weight to their side of the story – but Robinson can also reflect that strong domestic competition, which has yielded a second tier of clubs vastly superior to those from accross the channel, will surely breed a healthy base of international players from which to choose.
Moving on neatly from that, Robinson will also have a rare opportunity to watch the new generation of players which are only now emerging from the much-maligned academies. Ryan Lamb, Anthony Allen and Mark Foster are likely to be in the Gloucester line-up, while Irish have Delon Armitage and Topsy Ojo ready to threaten out wide.
Up front too, Jack Forster and Luke Narraway could be on display for the Cherry and Whites, as will the lauded second-row pairing of Nick Kennedy and David Paice line up for the Exiles. That will be plenty for Robinson to mull over with regards to November, and will prove that the academy system is working. Slowly, but it is.
The match itself promises to be a cracker. Neither team is shy of running with ball from pretty much anywhere, and it is a last chance of silverware for both teams. Irish will be the more battle-hardened, as they have kept themselves in match trim with the Premiership semi-final defeat at Leicester last week. Gloucester have had to bide their time – the teams that used to have to do that in the old Premiership play-off format frequently came unstuck. Gloucester themselves found that out once.
By way of team news, Gloucester and England Sevens star Rob Thirlby has won a start at fullback; he replaces Olly Morgan who has a fractured jaw.
Thirlby's last start was against Bucuresti in January and he has not played at fullback since October against Bristol in the Powergen Cup.
"It's unfortunate for Olly Morgan that he got injured when he did but now it's a great opportunity for me – I have waited for a chance for a long time and it's fantastic that it will be in a final, in the last game of the season," said Thirlby.
"Any final is a big occasion and everybody wants to win and do the best they can. It doesn't matter if it's the Hong Kong Sevens, the Premiership final or a European final, we are desperate to win."
Thirlby's inclusion is the only change to Gloucester's line-up that was narrowly defeated in their last Guinness Premiership match against Wasps earlier this month.
James Simpson-Daniel, who has eight tries in five European games this season, and Mark Foster have been named on the wings, while Anthony Allen and Mike Tindall form the centre partnership.
Ryan Lamb, who has made only seven appearances this season, starts at stand-off and Peter Richards is named at scrum-half.
The forwards also have a familiar look with Patrice Collazo, Mefin Davies and Jack Forster in the front row, Jonathan Pendlebury and Alex Brown at lock and captain Peter Buxton, Andy Hazell and James Forrester in the back row.
"Our only thought is about winning the game," said Gloucester boss Dean Ryan.
"Over the last eight or 10 months we have evolved a group of people who want to take Gloucester forward.
"Nothing seems to phase this group – it doesn't matter of it's a game at Welford Road or Sale – they just have bags of enthusiasm and confidence and take everything in their stride.
"We have to manage the expectations and ambitions but it is a hugely invigorating group of players to be around and it will be great for them this weekend."
Meanwhile, the Exiles have turned to their international contingent and will field the seven men who will don England jerseys over the off-season.
Mike Catt starts at outside-centre on Sunday with Riki Flutey at inside-centre and Barry Everitt taking over the fly-half role.
The back three of Delon Armitage, Topsy Ojo and Sailosi Tagicakibau are unchanged from last week’s Guinness Premiership semi-final at Leicester.
The pack features an unchanged front row. Nick Kennedy starts with Bob Casey at lock enabling Kieran Roche to move to the back row where he teams up with Olivier Magne and Juan Leguizamon.
"This is the kind of game that you work hard for all season," said Catt.
"The final means a lot to both teams and both have played attractive rugby over recent weeks.
"If the weather is kind, we could be in for a great game. It would be good to finish the season with some silverware."
Exiles boss Brian Smith was also sure his troops had one last win in their systems.
"We've selected a squad that we believe can win on Sunday," he said.
"This is week 50 of what has been a long, hard season for our players so we will be using the full 22.
"Having said that, there won't be any need for pep talks this week! Occasions like this come rarely, we're going to give it a blast and see where that takes us!"
Ones to watch:
For Gloucester: A final chance this season to witness the unique talents of Ryan Lamb. This fly-half is the real deal; he has a turn of pace, a willingness to do the unlikely and the talent to back it up. Careful management will have him in a white shirt before long.
For London Irish: Plenty of stars on show, but keep an eye on the athletic Argentinian number eight Juan Manuel Leguizamon. He is possibly the fastest back-row player in the Premiership, with a heck of a tackle on him, and hands to support any enterprise from his team.
Head-to-head: Anthony Allen v Mike Catt: The new breed against the old head. Assuming Catt keeps his place in the England set-up, this is a clash between the young apprentice and his future mentor in the national team.
The teams:
Gloucester: 15 Rob Thirlby, 14 James Simpson-Daniel, 13 Mike Tindall, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Mark Foster, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Peter Richards, 8 James Forrester, 7 Andy Hazell, 6 Peter Buxton (capt), 5 Alex Brown, 4 Jonathan Pendlebury, 3 Jack Forster, 2 Mefin Davies, 1 Patrice Collazo.
Replacements: 16 Olivier Azam, 17 Gary Powell, 18 Adam Eustace, 19 Luke Narraway, 20 Haydn Thomas, 21Ludovic Mercier, 22 James Bailey.
London Irish: 15 Delon Armitage, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Mike Catt (captain), 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Barry Everitt, 9 Paul Hodgson, 8 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 7 Olivier Magne, 6 Kieran Roche, 5 Nick Kennedy, 4 Bob Casey, 3 Richard Skuse, 2 Robbie Russell, 1 Neal Hatley.
Replacements: 16 Michael Collins, 17 David Paice, 18 Declan Danaher, 19 Phil Murphy, 20 Gonzalo Tiesi, 21 Ben Willis, 22 Shane Geraghty.
Date: Sunday, May 21
Kick-off: 12:15 (11:15 GMT)
Venue: The Stoop, London
Referee: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales)
Touch judges: Nigel Owens, tba (both Wales)
