Gloucester boss Dean Ryan has urged his players to sharpen their clinical edge ahead of tomorrow's tough European Challenge Cup opener against Bayonne.
Ryan could only look painfully on as Gloucester lost their unbeaten record in domestic competitions this season when 14-man Bath subdued them 18-16 last weekend. And they will travel to France without former England centre Henry Paul and current red rose squad member Peter Richards, who have both been dropped for disciplinary reasons.
Bayonne might be struggling in the French championship, but comfortable home victories over Pau and Narbonne suggests they could give their pool three visitors a thorough test. ``We know what we are up against this weekend, and that is an extremely physical side who will be very competitive,'' said Ryan. ``We missed an opportunity last weekend to win the game against Bath, and nobody feels too great about that. In big games, you only get two or three opportunities, and we missed them.
``We were not as clinical in certain areas of our game as we should have been, and that is something that will have to improve this weekend.''
England hooker Steve Thompson will make a first start of the season in his international position when Northampton host pool one opponents Viadana tomorrow.
The Saints captain moves from back-row to front-row duties, with England's Twickenham clash against Australia barely three weeks away. ``It was like a holiday being in the back-row, but I loved it,'' said Thompson. ``But I need to earn my crust in the front-row.''
Northampton rugby director Budge Pountney hands debuts to 18-year-old prop Charlie Beech and flanker Mark Hopley, yet Saints' big guns are also out in force, with Carlos Spencer, Ben Cohen, Bruce Reihana and Thompson among the confirmed starters. Saints' pool rivals Bristol, meanwhile, visit Narbonne tomorrow, with head coach Richard Hill pinning his faith on several youngsters, including hooker Neil Clark and prop Wayne Thompson.
``I hope the players enjoy it and learn from the experience,'' said Hill. ``It will be an atmosphere to behold down in Narbonne, and all the players are excited about going.
``There will be nobody cheering us, and the French crowd will go mad as soon as their team string a couple of passes together.''
Elsewhere tomorrow, London Irish visit lowly French Championship outfit Pau in pool two, with Worcester tackling pool five visitors Montpellier and pool four favourites Newcastle entertaining 1997 Heineken Cup winners Brive. The Falcons will be without lock Andy Perry, who has started a four-week suspension after being sent off for fighting with Leicester's Julian White at Welford Road last Friday.
Newcastle decided not to appeal against Perry's ban, imposed despite the Rugby
Football Union disciplinary appeal agreeing with Falcons' view that he had acted in self-defence and under extreme provocation. ``Yes, I think it is unfair and we've been treated very harshly,'' said Newcastle rugby director Rob Andrew. ``But we've been there before and we know how the disciplinary system works, so you have just got to bite your tongue and get on with it.''
Scottish challengers the Borders also begin their European quest, away to Italian side L'Aquila in pool four, with Irish flag-bearers Connacht taking on pool five outsiders Catania.