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Rugby Union

Premiership's best prepared for playoff battle

17/05/2008

The Guinness Premiership's top four sides are all primed for Sunday's playoff semi-finals intent on winning the league title at Twickenham.

League leaders Gloucester will take on Leicester Tigers at Kingsholm after Marcelo Loffreda's side narrowly qualified for the semi-finals with a win against Harlequins last week.

Gloucester have finished top three times since the playoff system was introduced but are yet to go on and lift the Premiership trophy.

Leicester denied them in the final last year and Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan is determined to overcome their opponents this time around.

He said: "It is up to us to go and produce another performance and if we can do that then I am sure we can create a threat."

Tigers coach Loffreda has been under intense pressure recently as it looked like Leicester's title challenge was fading.

However, the Argentinean believes their struggles could have made them stronger.

"The team showed great resilience and character in the victory last Saturday and I think the players can take a lot of confidence from that," said Loffreda.

"Gloucester have had a good season, they have a strong team and they will have a lot of confidence, but now it all depends on what happens in this game."

The other semi-final will be contested between Bath and Wasps. The London side have enjoyed an excellent run of form in the league since Christmas to qualify for the playoffs, but director of rugby Ian McGeechan says Bath will be dangerous opponents.

The newly-appointed Lions head coach insists his side will have to be at their best to beat the West Country team.

He said: "In Bath we are playing a side that is probably the most consistent all season. They are well coached and play good rugby, which will challenge us in all areas. We will have to have every part of our game working well if we are to come out with a win."

Bath suffered a narrow defeat to Gloucester last week that prevented them from finishing top of the table and head coach Steve Meehan says they must be judicious when deciding to attack Wasps.

He said: "What we have to work on from last week is our selection in regards to where we go and attack. We have to try and shift the ball, be comfortable on the ball and make sure we recycle well and find a space."