Agen gear up for Kingsholm

"We were very impressed last weekend by Edinburgh and we know that Gloucester will be just as tough," said captain Luc Lafforgue. "Although they might not play as fluidly as Edinburgh, we know they are more solid.

"We were really pleased with our defence against Edinburgh, keeping our heads up when they came back is something we want to take into the match against Gloucester.

"We know that although Edinburgh posed a big threat through their backs, Gloucester have a very strong pack and set-pieces so we will be looking very hard at that as well as the tackle area.

"And it's a tremendous pleasure just to have Rupeni back on the pitch after his illness. He always does something impressive when he has the ball and can really change a game. Having said that, even without touching the ball he is such a threat that the opposition always have to take his presence very seriously and keep a close eye on him which frees up the rest of us a bit.

"It suits our game if we are able to contain them, but we will have a massive defensive job to do and our forwards are going to have to put a lot of work in.

"But that said, I don't think they have the movement we have in the backs and as long as we get good ball to the backs, I think we'll be able to cause them some real problems.

"I'm aware of the French reputation in Europe for not travelling well, and it has to be said we've not played very well away from home in the Top 14 this season," he commented on a record of losing only one game at home but yet to record an away win.

"But the mentality is different. In the Heineken Cup you can't really afford to lose more than one match in order to qualify for the knock-out stages so we have a different approach and we know that we have to put in the performances away from home that we would be proud of at Stade Armandie."