Strength of Glaws squad tested in Tigers clash
James Bailey - full-back
By Cherry Picker
February 8 2008
It’s all change for Gloucester as they face one of their major Guinness Premiership rivals at Kingsholm tomorrow. Injuries and international calls mean the strength of Dean Ryan’s squad really will be tested when they take on second-top Leicester Tigers, four points behind Glaws in the GP table and desperater for revenge after losing at home to Glaws in October.
But that Gloucester strength in depth is underlined before the game even starts with the news that players of the calibre of Jeremy Paul, Andy Titterrell and Gareth Cooper are on the bench. 
It’s in the backs where Ryan has to make most changes. James Bailey will operate at full-back, allowing Willie Walker (left) to start at stand-off, partnered by Rory Lawson. The wingers are James Simpson-Daniel and Mark Foster, getting his first GP start of the season.
In the centre, Anthony Allen returns, partnered by Jack Adams, who has been on loan at Moseley this season.In the pack, Jack Forster makes his first GP start of the season at tight-head, Will James and Peter Buxton are in the second row, while in the back row Alasdair Strokosch and Andy Hazell are on the flanks and Adam Balding has been recalled from his loan at Leeds Tykes to wear No.8.Coach Ryan told the club website: “We want to create an environment here where players press for international recognition but that obviously has a direct knock-on to Gloucester. That situation has been intensified because of injuries this week but this is nothing new to us and we have prepared the right way.
“One of the reasons we have made such a good start to the season is that we have not relied on any one individual to make a contribution – we have an excellent squad that will once again be tested this weekend.
“Leicester are an outstanding side and without doubt will present one of our biggest challenges of the season. We have faced our own challenges and will solely focus on getting our game right. For us, that is the most important thing.” GLAWS: James Bailey, James Simpson-Daniel, Jack Adams, Anthony Allen, Mark Foster; Willie Walker, Rory Lawson; Nick Wood, Olivier Azam, Jack Forster; Peter Buxton (capt), Will James, Alasdair Strokosch, Andy Hazell, Adam Balding. Reps: Jeremy Paul, Andy Titterrell, Alasdair Dickinson, Jonathan Pendlebury, Gareth Cooper, Ali James, Charlie Sharples. Tigers are also affected by Six Nations calls and injuries, but have still managed to name ten internationals in their side for what could be the GP game of the season.
TIGGERS: Johne Murphy, Tom Varndell, Ayoola Erinle, Aaron Mauger, Ollie Smith; Andy Goode, Christophe Lausucqq; Marcos Ayerza, George Chuter, Alex Moreno, Tom Croft, Marco Wentzel, Martin Corry (c), Ben Herring, Jordan Crane. Reps Benjamin Kayser, Dave Young, Gregor Gillanders, Brett Deacon, Frank Murphy, Ian Humphreys, Sam Vesty.
Does anyone actually think the outcome of this game will stop either Glos or Tigers from finishing in the top 2 of the league ?
And that is the only thing the clubs want !
So it probably isn't important at all, in terms of the chamionship ?
there's not a lot else left!