HENRY Trinder will relish the role of ‘minder' today as Gloucester launch their challenge to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2008.
A Challenge Cup win in 2015 followed by a final appearance two years ago cannot disguise Gloucester's poor record in Europe's premier competition.
Trinder is determined to change all that as he forms a new centre partnership with up-and-coming Tom Seabrook as his side aims to sink Lyon's all-stars.
Trinder said: “It's a very hard competition but this is where we need to show the strength of our squad, we're looking forward to it.
“We've got guys like Tom who haven't played a lot so they'll be very energised and hopefully we can starve Lyon of ball and get our own attack moving.
“Lyon have got some very talented individuals who, like most French teams, they'll look to use as much as possible. In terms of attacking threats, they've got powerful guys like Charlie Ngatai who can offload if you let him and that can be hard to stop, and wingers like Josua Tuisova who are special individuals.
“If they get on the front foot they can hurt you, but we pride ourselves on our line speed. We'll be more structured and look to defend well and stay in it.”
Former England U20s star Seabrook, 21, recently extended his contract with the club and Trinder has high hopes for him as a future senior Test prospect.
Trinder said: “Tom's very talented in being able to cover multiple positions – wing and both centre spots – and he's a big ball carrier who's very quick. He has all the attributes you want an outside back to have and he's definitely going to get better and better and is the future of this club, 100 per cent.
“It's great to see him getting game time and, being ten years older, it reminds me a little bit of Mike Tindall and me when I was coming through. I have a good relationship with the younger players and I'm looking forward to playing alongside Tom.”
Trinder, 31, is racing back to full fitness after a miserable 2019 in which he ruptured an Achilles tendon that sidelined him for virtually the entire season.
After returning in August he says: “The time off over the first Covid lockdown period and coming slowly into full training again helped. It's refreshed my body and that's translated into some really good speed and strength scores.
“I'm feeling good and getting back to where I was, so I just need a good run of games now to work myself into the starting XV again. This match is a good chance for me and I want to make sure I give our coaches some selection headaches.”
NEALE HARVEY
Lyon v Gloucester
LYON: Arnold; Mignot, Barassi, Ngatai, Nakaitaci; Wisniewski, Couilloud; Chiocci, Ivaldi, Ric, Lambey, Rodda, Goujon, Cretin, Bastareaud
Replacements: Maurouard, Chaume, Devisme, Geraci, Fainga'a, Doussain, Berdeu, Regard
GLOUCESTER: Moyle; Morris, Trinder, Seabrook, Morgan; Barton, Varney; Ford-Robinson, Hanson, Knight, Atkins, Gibson, Clement, Ludlow, Nagle-Taylor
Replacements: Gleave, Saville, Tyack, Craig, Gray, Thomas, Chapman, Sharples
