European Challenge Cup Quarter-Final
Friday 3rd April 2015 Kick Off: 19:45
On TV: Sky Sports

Connacht's quest for a top 6 spot in the Pro 12 will take a back seat this weekend as they chase a spot in the semi-final of the European Challenge Cup for the first time since 2009/10. To reach the semi-finals Connacht will have to win away to 2005/06 European Challenge Cup Champions Gloucester. Despite lying in 9th place in the Aviva Premiership, Gloucester are rated as 2nd favourite behind Exeter Chiefs to win the competition outright. Gloucester breezed through the group stage of the competition and with a home semi-final on offer for the winner of this match will be anxious to get the win needed to keep their season alive.

Other Match Stats
Gloucester's last home defeat was a 23-30 defeat against Wasps on December 28th
Gloucester have won the 3 previous meetings between the sides
Former Connacht player Shane Monahan is a member of the Gloucester squad

Gloucester Stats
Website: www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/
Founded: 1873
Ground: Kingsholm
Capacity: 16,500
Captain: Billy Twelvetrees
Director of Rugby: David Humphreys
Coach: Laurie Fisher

Premiership League Position 2014/15: 9th P:18 Pts: 37
Premiership League Position 2013/14: 9th P:22 Pts: 44
European Challenge Cup 2014/15: 1st in Pool 5 Points: 29
Heineken Cup 2013/14: 2nd in Pool 6 Points: 14 (Lost European Challenge Cup Q/F 36-24 away to Wasps)
Anglo Welsh Cup 2014/15: 2nd in Pool 1 P: 4 Pts: 14
Anglo Welsh Cup 2013/14: 2nd in Pool 1 P: 4 Pts: 10

European Challenge Cup Pool 5
Gloucester 29
Oyonnax 16
Zebre 8
Brive 2

Previous Fixtures
Sale 23-6 Gloucester (Premiership Round 18)
Gloucester 33-33 Northampton (Premiership Round 17)
Wasps 32-21 Gloucester (Premiership Round 16)
Gloucester 48-10 London Welsh (Premiership Round 15)
Leicester 18-15 Gloucester (Premiership Round 14)

Next League Fixture:
Saturday 11th April 2015 @ 15.00 Harlequins v Gloucester @ Twickenham Stoop (Premiership Round 19)

Gloucester Ins/Outs 2014/15
Players In
John Afoa from Ulster
Richard Hibbard from Ospreys
Mariano Galarza from Worcester Warriors
Greig Laidlaw from Edinburgh Rugby
Aled Thomas from Scarlets
Mark Atkinson from Bedford Blues
Tom Isaacs from Ospreys
Steve McColl from Yorkshire Carnegie
Tom Palmer from Wasps
Jacob Rowan from Yorkshire Carnegie
James Hook from USA Perpignan
Callum Braley from Bristol Rugby
Henry Purdy from Leicester Tigers
Elliott Stooke promoted from Academy
Billy Burns promoted from Academy
Ross Moriarty promoted from Academy
Aleki Lutui from Edinburgh Rugby

Players Out
Will James retired
Matt Cox to Worcester Warriors
Ryan Mills to Worcester Warriors
Andy Hazell retired
Tavis Knoyle to Cardiff Blues
Tim Taylor retired
Dan George to Worcester Warriors
Tom Heard to Plymouth Albion
Thomas Young to Wasps
Freddie Burns to Leicester Tigers
Huia Edmonds to RC Narbonne
Jonny Bentley to Jersey
Rupert Harden to Benetton Treviso
Koree Britton to London Welsh
Drew Cheshire to Moseley
Jimmy Cowan to Tasman Makos
Mike Tindall retired
Andrew Bulumakau to Doncaster Knights
Lua Lokotui to Beziers
James Simpson-Daniel retired
Martyn Thomas to RC Massy

Previous Meetings

Saturday 17th December 2011 Heineken Cup
Gloucester 23-19 Connacht
www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/heineken-cup/2011/1217/288828-connacht/

Saturday 10th December 2011 Heineken Cup
Connacht 10-14 Gloucester
www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/heineken-cup/2011...ucester_heinekencup/

Saturday 22nd August 2009 Friendly
Gloucester 29-19 Connacht
www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/rugby/matchcentre/888.php