GLOUCESTER lock Alex Brown will undergo surgery today (Tue) to stabilise a hairline fracture in his jaw, sustained during his side's 30-25 defeat against Harlequins on Saturday. After consultation with a specialist on Monday, Brown will have a plate inserted into the left side of his jaw and is expected to be out of action for three or four weeks.

Quins for the title? Not yet, but they are currently in better psychological shape than a Gloucester team whose confidence is visibly fraying at the edges.

Iain Balshaw had another of those games that drive coaches mad. When he has the ball in space he remains a beautifully balanced runner, but confronted with an aerial bombardment he is desperately uncertain. The chances of him being in the same postcode as the descending ball are no better than evens.

Lesley Vainikolo's bursts up the left flank underlined his lack of opportunities in the Six Nations. "He's pretty frustrated with England," said Gloucester's director of rugby, Dean Ryan. "He's still learning but I don't think he's seeing enough ball."

Glaring problems at the lineout are wrecking Gloucester's attacking platform and there is a lack of clear-sighted decision-making.

Gloucester … allowed Harlequins to exploit their strengths in broken play.

The crucial moment fell to Gloucester captain Peter Buxton, who ploughed into defenders five metres from the line with two colleagues in space outside him. It was a decision made in the heat of battle, but one which may have consequences for the rest of Gloucester's season.

It seemed for long periods that Gloucester's individual brilliance would win out over a cracking team performance from Quins who bossed the game for long spells,

There are two things Gloucester Rugby Club is famous for around the globe - the Shed, and its occupants.

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