Gloucester have reached something of a cross-roads in their season. They are out of Europe, have lost three games in a row and are now without some very important players.

After the defeats to Newcastle, Cardiff and Biarritz, this is a worrying time for Gloucester. We all keep saying they have a great squad, but they really have to start winning the close games and the big games.

Today's Guinness Premiership match against London Irish is one of those big games, even though it seems to have slipped under the radar for most people.

A year ago, you would have said Irish were a good side but perhaps lacked a bit of steel. Now, though, they look the part. They have a good side, a strong coaching set-up and they will certainly fancy their chances at Kingsholm today.

Gloucester will have to play very well to avoid making it four defeats in a row.

This is a funny weekend, because it is not officially a Premiership weekend so everyone's minds seem to be on the start of the Six Nations Championship next week.

But this is a top-of-the-table clash and on any other weekend in the season, this would be the event on everyone's lips. The spotlight is not really on Gloucester versus London Irish, but it should be.

I certainly believe that if Irish can come to Kingsholm and get a result then they will have to be considered genuine title contenders. And if Irish do win, the doubts about Gloucester will increase. This is a massive game for Dean Ryan and his team.

And I would like to think Gloucester will have enough to win the game. I certainly can't remember the last time they lost four on the bounce.

If this game was at Irish then I would have no hesitation in tipping them for the victory, but Gloucester will be at home and they will be desperate to win.

Maybe it is my heart ruling my head, but I am going to go for a narrow Gloucester win.

Gloucester may be out of the Heineken Cup, but Bath are still very much in it. They will play Leicester away in the quarter-final and that will not faze Steve Meehan's men.

They went there in the league recently and should have won and it is just a shame we have to wait until April for this game because it is an absolute monster.

It will get no easier for Bath if they can win at Leicester – a trip to Cardiff or Toulouse awaits in the semi-final. But if any team can go to Cardiff or Toulouse – or indeed Leicester – and win then it is Bath.