By Cherrybomb
April 8 2002

As Tom Beim returns for his first match after nearly a year out injured, Gloucester hope to destroy a Wasp's team which will hope that the return of Lawrence Dallaglio will spur them on to victory after a poor loss at Kingsholm back in November. The match was postponed in December because of a frozen pitch, meaning their will be two games in three day's for the Cherry And Whites. It just so happens that our enemy that day was new Gloucester coach Nigel Melville, who as Wasp's coach inspected the pitch and advised that the match be called off. (though the referee had the final decision). It also happens that Wasp's highest scorer against Gloucester was none other than Rob "mud sticks" Andrew. Hopefully these possible jinx's will mean nothing as Gloucester should coast to victory, however, Wasp's beat Leicester in their last match at home and will be full of confidence.

The match also signals the return of Tom Beim, who hasn't played since May least year, after a recurring shoulder injury. Beim was not expected to comeback until next month, but hard work from Tom and the Gloucester coaching staff means he will start against Wasps on Wednesday. He signalled his return for the Gloucester United side last Wednesday, scoring a hat trick of tries. Tom Beim was the first person to ever score 5 tries in a Heineken Cup match last year against Roma, and has represented England. Hopefully a good run of success in the Gloucester first team will put him back into Clive Woodward's setup. Speaking to Gloucester's official web site,
Tom said;
"I found out this morning that I would be in the starting line-up. I haven’t really spoken to anyone about how quickly I would come back into the first team so it’s just nice to be playing really. Last Wednesday was a good start and I just want to build on that - I just want to try and perform for the team. It’s a big, key game away from home and one that we are hoping to win. Like I said before, for me at the moment it’s not really about scoring tries. It’s about performing well. I don’t know how much ball I’ll get on Wednesday, but I just have to play well for the team and not let anyone down. I haven’t played for 11 months so I just want to get back playing, get match fit, get sharp and see what happens.”

Gloucester squad:

Forwards:
Collazo, Azam, Deacon
Fidler, Cornwall
Forrester, Boer(c), Paramore

Backs:
Mercier, Gomarsall
Fanolua, Todd
Catling, O'Leary, Beim

Substitutes:
Yachvili, Paul, Fortey, Woodman, Pucciariello, Sewabu, Pearce