Lesley Vainikolo saw off Leicester in October © Getty Images

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Matches: Leicester Tigers 41 - 41 Gloucester Rugby

Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership

Teams: England | Gloucester Rugby | Leicester Tigers

After the disappointment of their Heineken Cup exit at the hands of Leinster last weekend, Leicester must quickly refocus for the visit of top-four rivals Gloucester to Welford Road on Saturday.

The Cherry and Whites have won two of their last three games against the Tigers but come into the game off the back of a form wobble, with their previously exemplary record in 2011 blotted by losses to Harlequins and Sale.

Bryan Redpath's side won the Kingsholm contest 19-12 in October thanks to a late Lesley Vainikolo score, but Leicester have lost only once in their last 12 Premiership matches and will have all of their energy focused on retaining their crown.

Leicester - Player to Watch: After failing to find his best game against Leinster last weekend, the pressure is on playmaker Toby Flood to hit his straps and maintain the Tigers' title push.

Leicester - Team News: Prop Martin Castrogiovanni, lock George Skivington and No.8 Thomas Waldrom return to the Tigers starting XV and hooker Rob Hawkins, flanker Ben Woods and centre Billy Twelvetrees also come into the line-up. Louis Deacon is ruled out this week with an Achilles injury, joining Geordan Murphy, Geoff Parling and Ben Pienaar on the sidelines. Marcos Ayerza misses out due to suspension. Tom Croft will lead out the team in Newby's absence.

Gloucester - Player to Watch: Dave Attwood's hopes of forcing his way back into the international picture face a stern test against the Tigers' formidable second row.

Gloucester - Team News: Scrum-half Dave Lewis will make his first appearance since mid-February while Brett Deacon is named captain on his return to his former club. Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu returns to the Cherry and Whites' midfield while Alasdair Dickinson and Rupert Harden are named at prop. Will James is back in the second row while Matt Cox, Andy Hazell and Deacon form a new-look back-row.

Key Battle: Both sides like to play so the battle for possession will be key. The Tigers trio of Tom Croft, Ben Woods and Thomas Waldrom look to have the edge on paper but can they make that count on the field?

Trivia: Gloucester lock Jim Hamilton is the tallest player in this season's Premiership, at a touch over two metres.

Stats: Gloucester have won only two of their last six away games.

Quote Unquote:

"We have to get over the defeat in the Heineken Cup - there is nothing we can do about that now. You just have to pick yourself up and go again. There is still a lot to play for this season." - Tigers boss Richard Cockerill demands his side put their euro exit behind them

"Defensively we were poor last weekend. We defended as individuals and we must get back to defending as a team, and helping inside and outside shoulders. It's a real challenge, because Leicester generally score tries at Welford Road." - Gloucester head coach Bryan Redpath is aware his side are up against it.

Fantasy: Gloucester winger Charlie Sharples has been in fine form all season, is he in your ESPNscrum Fantasy Rugby Game team?

Prediction: Leicester to put their euro woes well and truly behind them with a return to winning ways in front of an expectant Welford Road crowd.