European Challenge Cup Preview - Pool 5

Gloucester look to be running away with pool 5 as they sit on top with 9 points with Oyonnax and Zebre level on 4 points each with Brive at the bottom with only a point to show for their opening two games. Gloucester now take on Zebre home and away in their next two games as they look to ensure qualification to the quarter-finals.

Gloucester bounced back from three successive defeats in the league with a win away to London Irish at the weekend and will now look to build on that result as they host Zebre at Kingsholm looking to make it 3 wins out of 3 after two strong performances against Brive and Oyonnax. As for Zebre they suffered defeat at the hands of Oyonnax but bounced back with a win in France against Brive. Defeat in this game would surely end any hope of finishing at the top of the group as they look to claim their first ever win away to English opposition in the Challenge Cup.

On Friday night Brive entertain Oyonnax as they look to claim their first win of the competition and damage Oyonnax hopes of making it through to the quarter finals. After suffering a heavy defeat away to Gloucester and a home defeat to Zebre, Brive look to be out of the running for top spot. As for Oyonnax they started well with a win away to Zebre but became undone a week later with Gloucester going to France and winning. They are 5 points behind Gloucester and know that two wins against Brive are a must if they are stay with Gloucester at the top.