Gloucester in front-row crisis

No props in reserve as Brive come calling

Gloucester welcome Brive in the Challenge Cup on Saturday facing a front-row crisis after the sending-off of Terry Sigley during their Guinness Premiership defeat to Bristol last weekend.

Any club must have five front-row forwards in a European matchday squad of 22. Gloucester were down only five fit front-rowers bafore Saturday already, but with Sigley facing a ban and Patrice Collazo injuring his shoulder in Saturday's match, the number is now too low.

Phil Vickery is out for the rest of the season with a back problem, Gary Powell is still a couple of weeks away from recovery from a shoulder injury, and Nick Wood had an MRI scan on a neck injury yesterday and will be assessed later this week, but is doubtful.

The RFU have agreed to release Jack Forster from England's U19 World Cup squad for the game, as long as Gloucester agree to fly him back to Dubai immediately should they not require him.