This is Gloucestershire -- NIGEL Davies is hoping Sunday's Heineken Cup clash against Perpignan is not Gloucester's last in Europe. The Cherry and Whites can qualify for the quarter-finals of the second-tier Amlin Challenge Cup if they beat the Catalans, and Edinburgh and either Cardiff Blues or Harlequins lose. Whatever the outcome, Gloucester's days in Europe are numbered, with the English clubs pulling out of the Heineken Cup next season. But Davies remains optimistic that a resolution to the ongoing crisis can be found to ensure Gloucester embark on another European adventure. He said: "I really hope it's not the last. Perpignan's a great game and that's what European rugby is all about – testing yourself against the best teams and going to different places and having to adapt. "I have looked at what we need to do to qualify for the Amlin but gave up. There are lots of different permutations, it's unfortunately out of our control but we will know if it is possible by the time we play. "It would be nice but in terms of where we are in our season it's about building and making sure our processes and levels of intensity and commitment are right. "It's more significant for me that we put in a performance." Davies is set to retain the majority of the side that slumped to defeat against Munster with Huia Edmonds replacing crocked Darren Dawidiuk. Ben Morgan and Sione Kalamafoni are available to start after returning to full fitness but Henry Trinder remains sidelined. Perpignan have no hope of progressing in either competition and will be without both Luke Charteris and Sebastien Vahaamahina. Bertrand Guiry also remains sidelined, while Nicolas Durand is struggling due to concussion.
Reported by This is 6 hours ago.
This is Gloucestershire -- NIGEL Davies is hoping Sunday's Heineken Cup clash against Perpignan is not Gloucester's last in Europe. The Cherry and Whites can qualify for the quarter-finals of the second-tier Amlin Challenge Cup if they beat the Catalans, and Edinburgh and either Cardiff Blues or Harlequins lose. Whatever the outcome, Gloucester's days in Europe are numbered, with the English clubs pulling out of the Heineken Cup next season. But Davies remains optimistic that a resolution to the ongoing crisis can be found to ensure Gloucester embark on another European adventure. He said: "I really hope it's not the last. Perpignan's a great game and that's what European rugby is all about – testing yourself against the best teams and going to different places and having to adapt. "I have looked at what we need to do to qualify for the Amlin but gave up. There are lots of different permutations, it's unfortunately out of our control but we will know if it is possible by the time we play. "It would be nice but in terms of where we are in our season it's about building and making sure our processes and levels of intensity and commitment are right. "It's more significant for me that we put in a performance." Davies is set to retain the majority of the side that slumped to defeat against Munster with Huia Edmonds replacing crocked Darren Dawidiuk. Ben Morgan and Sione Kalamafoni are available to start after returning to full fitness but Henry Trinder remains sidelined. Perpignan have no hope of progressing in either competition and will be without both Luke Charteris and Sebastien Vahaamahina. Bertrand Guiry also remains sidelined, while Nicolas Durand is struggling due to concussion.
Reported by This is 6 hours ago.