Glaws v Irish

Gloucester are featured on ESPN for a 2nd week, so hopefully the conditions will be better to allow a bit more running rugby for the neutral. However, if you’re an ex-forward like me scrums, rucks and rolling mauls are a thing of beauty!

Gloucester thumped London Irish recently in the LV running in 7 tries for a comprehensive 41-8 victory. However, that result will have no bearing on tomorrow night’s game and no doubt Irish will be keen to take revenge. Irish beat Gloucester early in the season 23-16, however, the narrow margin does not reflect the level of dominance Irish had that day. But we all know the strength of Gloucester is at home and they won the corresponding game last year 34-20.

Gloucester are bolstered by the return of the Scottish contingent and are only without Mike Tindall due to international commitments. Injuries and suspensions means Glaws are still without Dickenson, Brown, Deacon, Attwood, Trinder and Simpson-Daniel, however, Irish also have their fair share of injuries and suspensions. Glaws will definitely be hoping that Woody and PDJ continue their form from the Wasps and the likes of Lewis and Dawiduik are unlikely not to retain their places after very good performances.

As always I will predict a Gloucester win. It will certainly be closer than the LV game, however I still expect Glaws to win by 10 points.

GLOUCESTER
15 Olly Morgan
14 Charlie Sharples
13 Tim Molenaar
12 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu
11 Tom Voyce
10 Nicky Robinson
9 Rory Lawson
1 Nick Wood
2 Scott Lawson
3 Paul Doran-Jones
4 Will James
5 Jim Hamilton
6 Peter Buxton
7 Andrew Hazell
8 Luke Narraway (c)

16 Olivier Azam
17 Yann Thomas
18 Rupert Harden
19 Alasdair Strokosch
20 Akapusi Qera
21 Dave Lewis
22 Freddie Burn
23 Jonny May

LONDON IRISH
15 Topsy Ojo
14 Adam Thompstone
13 Elvis Seveali'i
12 Seilala Mapusua (c)
11 Tom Homer
10 Chris Malone
9 Darren Allinson
1 Clarke Dermody
2 James Buckland
3 Faan Rautenbach
4 Nick Kennedy
5 Kieran Low
6 Kieran Roche
7 Jamie Gibson
8 George Stowers

16 Rob Herring
17 Alex Corbisiero
18 Paulica Ion
19 Gary Johnson
20 Richard Thorpe
21 Marcus Watson
22 Dan Bowden
23 Ryan Lamb