HENLEY will go down in history as one of rugby's greatest giant-killers if they can beat mighty Gloucester in the fifth round of the Tetley's Bitter Cup at Kingsholm tomorrow (3pm).

Having already pulled off a major shock with their 29-22 win at Bedford in the previous round, the Oxfordshire club now face a much stiffer test if they are to reach the quarter-finals of England's premier club knock-out competition.

Whereas Bedford were struggling near the bottom of Allied Dunbar Premiership 1, Gloucester are firmly in mid-table thanks to a formidable home record.

"It's going to be very tough," acknowledges Henley coach Nigel Dudding. "Even Premiership clubs don't expect much when they play in front of the passionate crowd at Kingsholm.

"We are not going there to lie down. Gloucester will be awesome in the set-pieces, but we'll play our normal style, and see what happens."

Henley, lying second in Jewson National 1- the third division overall - won't lack support. Nearly 1,000 fans will be travelling to support them as cup fever has hit the Thamesside town, more noted for rowing than rugby.

Gloucester have rested their prolific England fly half Mark Mapletoft. But such is the club's strength that his replacement is former New Zealand international Simon Mannix. Mapletoft will sit on the bench along with other internationals, scrum half Scott Benton and Australian centre Richard Tombs.

The Cherry and Whites will start the game with seven internationals - four of them are behind the scrum.

In addition to Mannix, there is England winger Tom Beim, who will make his debut since moving back to Kingsholm from Sale earlier this month, Western Samoan centre Terry Fanolua and French legend Philippe Saint-Andre.

But Gloucester's real strength is up front where, despite the absence of Phil Vickery and Kingsley Jones, they have three capped players - locks Rob Fidler and Dave Sims plus No 8 Steve Ojomoh.

Compared with the squad which formed the basis of Henley's selection for the Bedford game there are five changes.

Both Mat Maudsley (wing) and Andy Parton (full-back) have now recovered from niggling injuries.

Rob Heginbotham will almost certainly be a replacement for the front row. He has not been regularly available this season, but he was used as a substitute in last week's match against Morley.

In the continued absence of Steve Berryman, because of work commitments, Ali Ramus, the former Harrogate and West Hartlepool player, will provide cover for the back five of the scrum although Rob Walker, now back from holiday, is the back row specialist cover.

There was a scare this week when their United States prop Ray Lehner was sent off while making a guest appearance for Neath against Canada. But any suspension will come into effect after tomorrow.

Supporters can get the final team selection by calling the Henley Hotline - 0839 800815.

Story date: Saturday 30 January

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.