Stade Guy Boniface

By Cherry Picker
October 10 2012

It's no surprise that Gloucester make changes for the first Amlin Cup-tie of the season away to French side Mont de Marsan on Thursday night, a number of players getting a chance to show their value at the start of a two-game break from the Premiership. 

Dave Lewis knows he will start at scrum-half, while Tim Taylor, Tim Molenaar and others who have spent the season so far on the fringes of the starting team also get a game.

All Black scrum-half Jimmy Cowan, who went on as a sub for young Dan Robson at No.9 against Bath last weekend, continues his acclimatisation after moving to the other side of the world and will probably go on at some time.

But whatever team he sends out, coach Nigel Davies expects nothing but 100 per cent against a Mont de Marsan team bottom of the Top 14, with just one bonus point from their eight defeats.

“They've got to step up to the plate and they've actually got to take our game forward,” Davies told the Citizen.

"Far from seeing this as an opportunity to relax a little bit, that's the last thing we're doing. We're just going to push on and look to get better and stronger.

"We're changing the team but we're challenging them to keep the momentum and the mentality going, and to drive us forward.

"It's been unfortunate for some of them that they haven't had an opportunity at all, and this is that chance.

"Virtually everyone that has come into the team has stepped up this season and performed.

"That's the beauty of when you are starting to win games, and that creates real competition for places.

"So we've got to step it up in that respect now and move ourselves forward."

Mont de Marsan were promoted last season, winning the play-offs after finishing third in the French second tier. But their form so far suggests they will be going back down rather quickly.

Glaws make changes for trip to France

Discussion started by Shedloads (IP Logged), 10/10/2012 11:16

Shedloads
10/10/2012 11:16

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Bedfordshire Boy
11/10/2012 21:21

Hard fought victory, well done.

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