Gloucester v Biarritz: Teams

Biarritz can confirm their place in the quarter-finals with a Pool Two victory at struggling Gloucester on Saturday.

The French giants remain the only side with a 100 per cent record left in the competition following four straight wins.

Success for Biarritz will also set them up for a high ranking finish with the prospect of a home quarter-finals a strong possibility.

Gloucester lie second in the group and a positive result would keep their hopes of qualification for either the Heineken or Amlin Challenge Cup latter stages alive.

Gloucester head coach Bryan Redpath has made four changes to his starting line up. With the game at Newcastle Falcons called off last weekend, it will have been a fortnight since Gloucester last played.

Three changes in the backs see James Simpson-Daniel move out of the midfield and onto the wing in place of Charlie Sharples with Tim Molenaar taking his place in the centre whilst Rory Lawson is back at scrum-half.

Injury blow

Up front, Alasdair Dickinson gets his first start at loose head since October 24th and Dave Attwood returns to partner Alex Brown in the second row.

Of note on the bench is the return of Freddie Burns for the first time since undergoing surgery on his calf muscles.

Redpath when announcing his side declared that Biarritz, unlike many French teams, are very capable of playing well and winning on the road.

"They've always travelled well and been one of the most consistent Heineken Cup sides out there," said Redpath.

"Very durable and very workmanlike in some of their performances to win. They can grind out victories with Yachvili playing field position and kicking penalties."

"They're a very smart Heineken Cup side when they're playing away from home."

Biarritz suffered a triple injury blow last weekend losing scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili, centre Damien Traille and prop Fabien Barcella after their defeat to Stade Français in the Top 14.

English full-back Iain Balshaw is also missing but flying American wing Takudzwa Ngwenya, England centre Ayoola Erinle and France number eight Imanol Harinordoquy are all back to full fitness.

Gloucester:15 Olly Morgan, 14 James Simpson-Daniel, 13 Tim Molenaar, 12 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, 11 Lesley Vainkolo, 10 Nicky Robinson, 9 Rory Lawson, 8 Gareth Delve (c), 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Alex Brown, 4 Dave Attwood, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Scott Lawson, 1 Alasdair Dickinson.
Replacements: 16 Darren Dawidiuk, 17 Nick Wood, 18 Pierre Capdevielle, 19 Adam Eustace, 20 Luke Narraway, 21 Dave Lewis, 22 Freddie Burns, 23 Tom Voyce.

Biarritz Olympique: 15 Paul Couet-Lannes, 14 Takudzwa Ngwenya, 13 Arnaud Mignardi, 12 Ayoola Erinle, 11 Ilikena Bolakoro, 10 Valentin Courrent, 9 Yann Lesgourgues, 8 Imanol Harinordoquy, 7 Samiu Vahafolau, 6 Magnus Lund, 5 Manuel Carizza, 4 Jérôme Thion, 3 Rémy Hugues, 2 Romain Terrain, 1 Eduard Coetzee.
Replacements: 16 Benoit August, 17 Yvan Watremez, 18 Mosese Moala, 19 Trevor Hall, 20 Fabien Alexandre, 21 Benoit Guyot, 22 Laurent Tranier, 23 Nicolas Brusque.