Ryan happy to shift the focus on to Munster

EUROPEAN CUP:THE IMPENETRABLE ceiling of dark clouds that shrouded Hartpury College was pierced by a shard of sunlight just as the Gloucester players took to the training pitch. The soundtrack of rain was replaced by shouts and exhortations of players, focused on preparing for Saturday's Heineken European Cup quarter-final against Munster.

Gloucester coach Dean Ryan was the most vocal presence, in turn cajoling and lightly reprimanding in directing the short session. At one point he noticed the presence of a Sky television crew and dispatched an assistant to ensure the filming stopped.

Some 45 minutes later the players repaired to the stand to fulfil media duties, Ryan too as he offered his thoughts ahead of Saturday's tie at Kingsholm.

Those hoping to glean an insight into the likely composition of the Gloucester team will have been frustrated by the constant mixing and matching, particularly in the back line.

Willie Walker ran at outhalf, so too Ryan Lamb. James Simpson Daniel cut a dash at outside centre, Olly Morgan filling in at fullback. Mike Tindall took a full part, having all but recovered from the potentially very serious bruised liver and punctured lung he suffered while playing for England against Wales on the opening weekend of the Six Nations.

He hasn't played since but there is a suggestion he could make the bench for the Munster match having taken physical contact in training for the past three weeks.

Ryan was, however, circumspect about Tindall's prospects.

"We have been pushing him for the last few weeks in terms of physical training. If he was an option we'd think it was great. If he wasn't we have been running without him for a while.

"The decision will be taken around the value that Mike offers us in terms of experience, thought process and impact. We miss Mike when he is not playing. There is no doubt about it. If we can get him as an option he will be great value for us but it's not something we are going to take a risk on."

There are also concerns surrounding Iain Balshaw, who picked up a head injury last weekend against Worcester. As of now Rory Lawson (scrumhalf), Anthony Allen (centre) and Lesley Vainikolo (wing) appear the only lock-downs in terms of the backline. The suggestion is Lamb (outhalf), Simpson Daniel (centre), Morgan (fullback) and either Balshaw or Chris Patterson on the wing will win the other starting roles. The issues about the pack are equally complex in terms of personnel. It's composition will flag Gloucester's patterns for this sell-out clash.

It was therefore understandable Ryan looked a little more comfortable in discussing the merits of Saturday's visitors to Kingsholm, attempting to identify just why they have been so successful in Europe. He mused: "I think they play a lot of different ways and that is crucial. Any team that's got form over a number of years . . . well they haven't relied on any one thing. They can play pressure rugby. You look at the Wasps match; they played great pressure rugby. They did the same (against Leicester) at Welford Road the year before.

"Their game suits Heineken Cup campaigns. They are very, very physical, (have a) very good kicking game. Most sides potentially will break down in front of that and if they (Munster) have to go for things, especially now with the Southern Hemisphere influence in their back line, they probably can play a little bit more than in the past.

"(Doug) Howlett, (Rua) Tipoki and (Lifeimi) Mafi are good footballers. I think they're probably stronger this year in Europe than they have been in previous years; (then) they were very physical, very direct but looking at their stuff this year those lads can play some football as well.

"If you can take form on the road then you have a lot of maturity, which they (Munster) have. You look at nine, 10, secondrows, captain; that's world-class players who are doing it at international level, Lions level.

"So it's not a surprise but that backbone allows them to travel with some confidence.

"If the tables were turned we wouldn't know too much about how we'd turn up (and play). We wouldn't have the history they've got. We would hope we might turn up but we don't have a track record. They do. For them being away from home is just part and parcel of being in Europe. I am pretty pleased we are at home because we need all those advantages that it may give us."

The Gloucester coach accepted that despite their being perched on top of the English Premiership, recent form hasn't approached the levels of excellence that accompanied a nine-game unbeaten start to the season.

Ryan admitted: "We're not that close, if I'm honest. We have only had them (the players) back a week from a fairly disruptive Six Nations period.

"In terms of rhythm we probably lack it. Munster would say the same with a large contingent playing international rugby, but at least they are with the same group. Ours were dispersed across four (nations with different playing styles). We haven't played that well during the Six Nations and some of our form last weekend (against Worcester) illustrated it.

"We were trying to find each other and not that comfortable. I'd like to think that a week on, with the focus of a European Cup quarter-final and a clarity in how we want to play, some of that rhythm will return."

He knows the way he wants his team to play - a fast expansive game - and maintains he won't compromise on that endeavour.

His priority these next 24 hours is to identify the personnel who can best fulfil that remit while competing with Munster's physicality.