Gloucester v Leicester: Teams
Dean Ryan insists Gloucester can come through the "brutal" play-offs, while Leicester have been forced into one change.
Last Updated: 16/05/08 1:35pm
Gloucester coach Dean Ryan insists his side can come through the "brutal environment" of the play-offs by beating Leicester.
Gloucester were systematically taken apart by the Tigers in last season's final, however Ryan believes that his side have learned their lessons from 12 months ago.
And having come through their decider with Bath to finish top of the table last week, Ryan knows his side can rise to the challenge.
"The play-offs are a brutal environment but we are learning to operate at a higher level and that is what we must remember," he said.
"Leicester are an outstanding side because they have been in this situation many times before and it will be nothing new to them.
"But we are in a confident frame of mind given the form and results we have produced in the last few weeks and we must take that forward into Sunday.
"It is up to us to go and produce another performance and if we can do that then I am sure we can create a threat."
Gloucester did have concerns over the fitness of Mike Tindall, Anthony Allen and Akapusi Qera, however the trio have been cleared to play, with Ryan sticking to the same XV that beat Bath 8-6.
"In a defensive performance of last weekend's quality and intensity there were always going to be question marks over certain individuals but we are obviously very pleased everyone has come through," Ryan said.
Bruises
"We tried to get most of our preparation and class room work done to give people enough time to recover in the early part of the week because we had some bumps and bruises."
Leicester coach Marcelo Loffreda has been forced into one change for the visit to Gloucester.
Injury to Johne Murphy means that Samoa international Alesana Tuilagi comes in on the wing, with the rest of the squad the same from the thrilling win over Harlequins.
Head coach Marcelo Loffreda said: "The team showed great resilience and character in the victory last Saturday and I think the players can take a lot of confidence from that.
"I said we were not going to give up while we still had a chance to qualify for the play-offs. Now it is in our own hands again and we have another opportunity.
"Gloucester have had a good season, they have a strong team and they will have a lot of confidence, but now it all depends on what happens in this game."
Gloucester: 15 Iain Balshaw, 14 James Simpson-Daniel, 13 Mike Tindall, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Lesley Vainikolo, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Rory Lawson, 1 Nick Wood, 2 Andy Titterrell, 3 Carlos Nieto, 4 Marco Bortolami (capt), 5 Alex Brown, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 7 Akapusi Qera, 8 Gareth Delve.
Replacements: 16 Olivier Azam, 17 Jack Forster, 18 Will James, 19 Luke Narraway, 20 Gareth Cooper, 21 Willie Walker, 22 Mark Foster.
Leicester: 15 Geordan Murphy, 14 Tom Varndell, 13 Danny Hipkiss, 12 Aaron Mauger, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Harry Ellis, 1 Boris Stankovich, 2 Mefin Davies, 3 Julian White, 4 Marco Wentzel, 5 Ben Kay, 6 Martin Corry (c), 7 Ben Herring, 8 Jordan Crane.
Replacements: 16 George Chuter, 17 Marcos Ayerza, 18 Richard Blaze, 19 Tom Croft, 20 Christophe Laussucq, 21 Sam Vesty, 22 Ayoola Erinle