Gloucester v Cardiff: Teams

Gloucester coach Dean Ryan is confident his side can blow open Pool Six by beating Cardiff at Kingsholm.

Cardiff are currently unbeaten in the pool and toppled Gloucester 37-24 at the Millennium Stadium earlier in the season.

However, Ryan has seen enough of an improvement in his side since that defeat to give him confidence ahead of the return fixture.

"We understand that if we want to continue in Europe then this weekend is absolutely vital," said Ryan.

"I think we are a pretty robust outfit and we need to take that into this weekend.

"We did some pretty smart things in attack against them [Cardiff] earlier in the season but they scored twice far too easily just before half-time - that is something you cannot afford at this level because it is so hard to go back and repair any damage.

"I am confident that if we are slightly more solid our attacking game will offer us opportunities we must try and exploit."

Ryan welcomes back Iain Balshaw and James Simpson-Daniel for the must-win clash, while Mike Tindall and Olly Morgan have been cleared fit to play.

In the pack, hooker Olivier Azam returns to the starting line-up in place of Andy Titterrell.

Replaced

Cardiff have been boosted by news Wales flanker Martyn Williams has recovered from a shoulder injury and will lead the side out on Sunday.

With regular captain Paul Tito ruled out with a shoulder injury - and replaced in the second row by Scott Morgan - Williams will take over the reins.

Coach Dai Young has also named a new-look front row with Gethin Jenkins, Gareth Williams and Gary Powell all returning following the Magners League defeat to Leinster.

In the backs, Young makes one change, with Jamie Roberts returning to the centres in place of the benched Jamie Robinson.

Gloucester: 15 Olly Morgan, 14 Iain Balshaw, 13 Mike Tindall (c), 12 Olly Barkley, 11 Matthew Watkins, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Gareth Cooper, 8 Luke Narraway, 7 Apo Satala, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Alex Brown, 4 Marco Bortolami, 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Olivier Azam, 1 lasdair Dickinson.
Replacements: 16 Andy Titterrell, 17 Nick Wood, 18 Will James, 19 Adam Eustace, 20 Dave Lewis, 21 Willie Walker, 22 James Simpson-Daniel.

Cardiff Blues: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Gavin Thomas, 13 Tom Shanklin, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Tom James, 10 Nicky Robinson, 9 Jason Spice, 8 Andy Powell, 7 Martyn Williams (c), 6 Maama Molitika, 5 Scott Morgan, 4 D Jones, 3 Gary Powell, 2 Gareth Williams, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: 16 Taufa'au Filise, 17 Rhys Thomas, 18 Bradley Davies, 19 Xavier Rush, 20 D Allinson, 21 Ceri Sweeney, 22 Jamie Robinson.