Mike Tindall couldn't prevent Gloucester from falling to defeat against Harlequins © Getty Images

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Matches: Connacht 10 - 14 Gloucester Rugby

Tournaments/Tours: Heineken Cup

Teams: Connacht | England | Gloucester Rugby | Ireland

Connacht will renew their search for a first Heineken Cup victory when they face Gloucester in Galway on Saturday.

Despite losing their opening two fixtures in Pool six, the Irish province have shown signs to suggest a first victory is not far away. Their opening two opponents could not have been tougher, playing Harlequins, who are undefeated so far this season in all competitions, followed by four-time Heineken Cup winners Toulouse.

Gloucester have also slipped to consecutive defeats in Pool six. They could have easily come way from Toulouse with a victory but did pick up a losing bonus point before being defeated 28-9 by a ruthless Quins outfit. The Cherry and Whites, who have lost their last four games, will need back-to-back wins over Connacht if they are to retain any hope of making the quarter finals.

Connacht - Player to Watch: Mike McCarthy is back in the side after his suspension and will aim to impose his physicality on an experienced Gloucester pack. The Irish lock is one of Connacht's most consistent players so expect him to shine.

Connacht - Team News: There are two changes in the matchday 23 with just one change in the starting line up. Lock Mike McCarthy returns from suspension to replace the injured Michael Swift in the second-row. He will be partnered by George Naoupu whilst the back-row of Dave Gannon, John Muldoon and Ray Ofisa continue. A front-row of Brett Wilkinson, Ethienne Reynecke and Ronan Loughney complete the pack. Frank Murphy and Niall O'Connor resume their halfback partnership while head coach Eric Elwood shows faith in last week's backs naming an unchanged backline with Dave McSharry and Kyle Tonetti in the centres with Mark McCrea, Tiernan O'Halloran and captain Gavin Duffy making up the back three.

Gloucester - Player to Watch: Gloucester winger James Simpson-Daniel is never far from the headlines and the speedster scored a sensational try against the Falcons last Friday. With ball in hand, Simpson-Daniel has the ability to terrorise most defences.

Gloucester - Team News: Olly Morgan, James Simpson-Daniel and Charlie Sharples form the back three with Henry Trinder alongside Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu in the centres. Freddie Burns keeps his spot at ten with Rory Lawson alongside him. Nick Wood, Scott Lawson and Dario Christolini line up in the front-row with Peter Buxton and Jim Hamilton the chosen locks. Brett Deacon, Andy Hazell and Luke Narraway start in the back-row.

Key Battle: The match could come down to the battle of the boot so both Burns and Niall O'Connor will need to find their aim early on if they are to see their side through to the win.

Trivia: Connacht have played 100 games in European rugby but have yet to secure a point from a Heineken Cup match.

Stats: Gloucester's Ludovic Mercier holds the record for conversions for the Cherry and Whites with 10 against Viadana in the 2002-2003 season

Quote Unquote: "I had no hesitation when the contract was put in front of me. I have played in a few huge games now and those games can do wonders for you. Playing in those big games is worth 10 training sessions. This is what I want to be doing, playing as much as possible. I'm delighted."
Connacht's Dave McSharry pens a new contract

"It doesn't matter what the situation is, it's a cup final for us really, we're one from seven, it's not good enough for this squad. So it's a cup final for us now, we've got to go there and get a result.
Gloucester's Andy Hazell sounds the rallying call ahead of the clash

Prediction: Gloucester will come away with a narrow win