Gloucester ring the changes
Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:12
Gloucester have welcomed back two key members of their squad for their Guinness Premiership derby against Worcester Warriors on Saturday.
Both Alex Brown and Olly Morgan return to the starting line-up following injuries and will be part of a vastly different team from the one that lost to Sale in the last round of matches.
Brown comes back following surgery on a fractured jaw sustained against Harlequins and will partner Marco Bortolami at lock.
But the return of Morgan is even more significant.
The England fullback has been out of action since Gloucester’s 31-7 Heineken Cup victory over Bourgoin in December because of a dislocated shoulder and has not played since.
"Obviously we have missed Olly's [Barkley] contribution in the squad since his injury because he is a very good player," said head coach Dean Ryan.
"We are approaching the end of the season, we have players back who have operated in different playing environments during the Six Nations and also from injury so we must kick on now.
"Guys like Olly Morgan and Alex Brown will play key roles between now and the end of the season and it is great to have them back for what is such an important game tomorrow [Saturday].
"This is something we are looking forward to, there has been real focus this week," he added.
In total, there are 12 changes to the team that lost 16-22 to the Sharks.
Only loosehead prop Nick Wood, hooker Andy Titterrell and Akapusi Qera retain their places, although Qera moves to the openside flank to accommodate Luke Narraway at No.8.
Alongside Wood and Titterrell, Carlos Nieto returns at tighthead.
Skipper Bortolami returns at lock alongside Brown and he will make his first start since Gloucester's defeat against Bristol in February.
Alasdair Strokosch, one of Scotland's stand-out performers in the Six Nations, starts at No.6, Qera moves to No.7 and Narraway comes in at eighthman.
"We have options available and have selected the side accordingly to fit this specific fixture, nothing more than that," said Ryan.
"The focus has been really good this week, we are not looking at anything else other than tomorrow's [Saturday] game and have put a group together we believe will be very competitive.
"Not only are Worcester hugely competitive but when they play some rugby are a huge threat, it should be a cracking contest.
"Considering the disruption we have faced over the last seven or eight weeks to be in a play-off place is testament to the squad and we must build on that now," he added.
In the backs, only Anthony Allen retains his place from the defeat at Sale.
Scrumhalf Rory Lawson comes in and will partner Ryan Lamb at flyhalf.
Lamb has not started since Gloucester’s 28-20 win over Newcastle at the end of February because of a shoulder injury.
Alongside Allen, James Simpson-Daniel will move into the centre and look to add to his six tries in 12 Guinness Premiership appearances this season.
Gloucester: 15 Olly Morgan, 14 Iain Balshaw, 13 James Simpson-Daniel, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Lesley Vainikolo, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Rory Lawson, 8 Luke Narraway, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Alex Brown, 4 Marco Bortolami (captain), 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Andy Titterrell, 1 Nick Wood.
Replacements: 16 Jeremy Paul, 17 Alasdair Dickinson, 18 Will James, 19 Gareth Delve, 20 Gareth Cooper, 21 Willie Walker, 22 Chris Paterson.
Date: Saturday, 29 March
Venue: Sixways Stadium
Kick-off: 17.00 GMT
Referee: Sean Davey
Touch judges: Paul Dix, Martin Buck
Assessor: Nigel Yates
Television match official: Matt Peters
gloucesterrugbyclub.com
