Talented squad will not be fazed

European Cup: Flanker Andy Hazell is upbeat about Gloucester's prospects, writes John O'Sullivan.

European Cup: Flanker Andy Hazell is upbeat about Gloucester's prospects, writes John O'Sullivan.

Gloucester openside flanker Andy Hazell accentuated the positive ahead of today's Heineken European Cup clash against Leinster at Lansdowne Road, the nine-year veteran pointing out that this was the best squad with which he has been involved at the club.

"I have to say, this is the best, most talented squad I've been in. We've got England, Italian and French internationals in the squad and young boys who aren't fazed by anything. It's a nice blend, although we'll see how nice it is this evening."

The English international was recently voted the top tackler this season so far (60 in five matches) in the Guinness Premiership, a workload he's likely to have to maintain this evening. The European Cup is the next step up before international rugby. The hits are bigger, the intensity is higher and it's great to challenge yourself in that environment.

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"When you go over to Ireland the players and fans are so passionate, the intensity picks up another level again. It's like a cauldron." As a member of the Gloucester squads that lost out to Munster (the miracle match) and Ulster last season, he's well versed with the demands.

Hazell added: "It will be a big test for the young guys, but they just seem to get better and better with every game, and this will be part of our learning curve. It won't be the be all and end all - it isn't all based on the one game.

"It's a mini-league, not a knock-out competition. We've got to play our game and if things don't go our way we'll have other chances to put that right. Our gameplan might not break them down for 70 minutes, but one break will be enough. We want to put a marker down in Europe and everyone can't wait to get there and play."

Hazell's words epitomise a club with a proud spirited tradition. The club was formed on September 13th, 1873 following a meeting at the Spread Eagle Hotel. The famous "Cherry and Whites" jersey did not originally belong to the club, its origins instead with Painswick rugby club, the oldest village club in Gloucestershire.

The village club sent the newly formed Gloucester 15 of their jerseys that were never returned. However, amends were made in 2003 when Gloucester, celebrating their 130th anniversary, gave Painswick 15 of their jerseys to reciprocate the original gesture.

The Cherry and Whites were once suspended by the English RFU for professionalism as a result of the club recruiting players: it would be known as the "Shewell case" but a more puritanical approach to amateurism ensured their return to the fold.

Gloucester's Kingsholm ground houses one of the most famous edifices in world rugby, originally opened as the "sixpenny stand" but subsequently known as "The Shed". It's where the diehards congregate. According to Wikipedia.com, "Gloucester traditionally drew its support and its playing strength from local working class communities. 'The Shed', so-called because it looks like a cow shed, was home to the working class fans, terracing that runs the length of one touchline".

In recent years the club logo was edited so it was not identical to the town coat of arms and the jersey was changed from the traditional Cherry and White hoops to a mostly red shirt with white strips along the side.

Gloucester is a proud club with a tradition to match and today at Lansdowne Road their supporters will reinforce that assertion. They have a reputation for being uncompromising, the current team perhaps, less so than some of the packs going back a decade or more. It should be a fascinating tussle.