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Search forRyan wheels out the big guns
Saturday, August 30, 2008, 08:00
Iain Balshaw returns for his first start while Gareth Cooper partners Ryan Lamb at half-back, suggesting a change of heart from the Gloucester coach, who favoured Scot Rory Lawson for most of last season.
James Simpson-Daniel is named on the bench for his first action since shoulder surgery, while the old guard of Peter Buxton and Andy Hazell slot in on the flanks as Ryan throws in his big guns ahead of the season opener next week.
"There is a great atmosphere and unity among the squad," he said.
"We've made it very clear that pre-season is based on performance and maximising what we can achieve from new combinations and relationships.
"But we have the opportunity to re-introduce some senior players tomorrow and that is pretty key moving forward.
"We have worked very hard in pre-season, but we obviously want to see an improvement from the Bayonne game and we have the personnel in place to do that."
Olly Morgan slots in at full-back, with Lesley Vainikolo completing the back three.
Captain Mike Tindall partners Anthony Allen at centre to complete the backs.
Up front, last season's favoured front row combination – Nick Wood, Andy Titterrell and Carlos Nieto – are reunited, with Will James and Alex Brown partnered in the engine room.
Luke Narraway completes the line-up in a balanced-looking back row.
"We are closer to the type of team we are likely to play against Leicester," Ryan said. "More of our senior players are back in it, so I would expect to see an increase in performance levels."
GLOUCESTER (v Glasgow, Saturday, 2pm): Olly Morgan; Iain Balshaw, Mike Tindall (capt), Anthony Allen, Lesley Vainikolo, Ryan Lamb, Gareth Cooper; Nick Wood, Andy Titterrell, Carlos Nieto, Will James, Alex Brown, Peter Buxton, Andy Hazell, Luke Narraway. Reps: Olivier Azam, Dave Young, Marco Bortolami, Alasdair Strokosch, Rory Lawson, Willie Walker, Matthew Watkins, James Simpson-Daniel.
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