Gloucester get a boost as Vickery returns

ENGLAND captaincy candidate Phil Vickery has given Gloucester a major Heineken Cup boost ahead of tomorrow’s crucial clash against Bourgoin.

Vickery will make his first start since mid-December in a game Gloucester must win to keep alive their ambitions of topping Pool Five and securing an automatic quarter-final place.

World Cup prop Vickery, a contender to replace Martin Johnson as England skipper, began his comeback as a second-half substitute against main rivals Munster last weekend. Rugby director Nigel Melville has also called up centre Robert Todd and lock Adam Eustace, as Gloucester look to show the form which swept them home 49-13 against Bourgoin at Kingsholm six weeks ago.