ZP Preview: Gloucester to Exploit Munster Hangover

King of distribution
By Peter Snow's Swingometer
May 1 2004

London Wasps' penultimate Zurich Premiership match is Lawrence Dallaglio's favourite road trip: a confrontation with Gloucester in front of the inimitable Kingsholm Shed. Warren Gatland's goal since losing four games by the end of the World Cup has been to claw back Bath . . .

It is ironic that the dénoument of the season comes at the home of Gloucester, the team that London Wasps denied last season's Zurich Premiership trophy during a cruel championship clincher at Twickenham. Make no mistake, Gloucester will have a big say yet in this season's trophy decider, starting today.

Forget last May. Put the Heineken Cup quarter-final out of your mind. The Cherry and Whites have one aim, and that is to best Wasps and Bath in their final two games and grab a piece of play-off action. You never know, irony of ironies, Gloucester could yet be "champions" this season! How would that sit with Nigel Melville's effusive home crowd?

For the Londoners, how much will the hangover from that wonderful Heineken Cup semi-final comeback take out of the players? Simon Shaw and Josh Lewsey rest their injuries whilst Rob Howley and Will Green swap with Peter Richards and Tim Payne respectively. The team has not lost since a ten-point defeat away to Leicester on 8 November. If they retain their abrasiveness and hit the right tempo then Gloucester will face a stiff examination.

For their part, Gloucester have not lost at home since Wasps loss at Leicester. Their form at home is almost as good as last season's, but they face playing with a shuffled front row. Phil Vickery failed a fitness test, handing senior squadman, Andy Deacon, a dream final home match propping against a renowned All Black in Craig Dowd. If Wasps think Deacs won't be up for this one they're in for a tough battle up-front.

Gloucester's reshuffled blindside is the only other change as Peter Buxton comes in and Andy Hazell gets splinters. The pack is where the match will be decided. News of Olivier Azam's return will gee up Chris Fortey, but lingering rumours about Trevor Woodman's whereabouts next term still cloud an otherwise bright horizon.

Gats has managed to close most of Wasps' contract renegotiations much earlier than Mellie has at Gloucester. It should not be a factor but small, quality details can make a difference. Could Woodman really be rejoing PSA at Sale? If so, he'll want to leave with a bang too. The swingometer wonders if it isn't time for him to show his World Cup form.

Richard Todd has already decided to drift northwards and remains on the bench. Wasps have the luxury of a happy, winning squad, unfazed by comings and goings, save for a wing or two. Indeed, Kenny Logan has the opportunity to remind the Kingsholm faithful of why Wasps signed him during our 1997 title-winning campaign, before he starts on his next chapter back up in Scotland.

Behind the pack the Cherry and Whites have some reparations to make too. A few weeks ago they failed to cope with Wasps' pressure defence. The ground will be slightly heavy on a grey Gloucester day. If Duncan McRae and Henry Paul haven't fashioned opening for their speedsters on the wing by the hour mark then the swingometer foresees Wasps by six.

London Wasps: 15 Mark Van Gisbergen; 14 Kenny Logan, 13 Fraser Waters, 12 Stuart Abbott, 11 Tom Voyce; 10 Alex King, 9 Peter Richards; 1 Craig Dowd, 2 Trevor Leota, 3 Tim Payne, 4 Martin Purdy, 5 Richard Birkett, 6 Joe Worsley, 7 Paul Volley, 8 Lawrence Dallaglio (Capt.)

Bench: 16 Will Green, 17 Mark Lock, 18 Ben Gotting, 19 George Skivington / John Hart, 20 Rob Howley, 21 Mark Denney, 22 Ayoola Erinle

Gloucester: 15 Riaan van der Bergh; 14 Marcel Garvey, 13 Terry Fanolua, 12 Henry Paul, 11 James Simpson-Daniel; 10 Duncan McRae, 9 Andy Gomarsall; 1 Trevor Woodman, 2 Chris Fortey, 3 Andy Deacon, 4 Mark Cornwell, 5 Alex Brown, 6 Peter Buxton, 7 Jake Boer (Capt.), 8 Junior Paramore

Bench: 16 Delarey Du Preez, 17 Rodrigo Roncero, 18 Nick Wood, 19 Adam Eustace, 20 Andy Hazell, 21 Simon Amor, 22 Robert Todd