Andy Hazell is preparing himself for a titanic battle with Akapusi Qera for the Gloucester number seven shirt.

The Fijian international returned last week from the bench and head coach Dean Ryan has declared him ready for a Guinness Premiership starting slot.

When both were fit at the end of last season, Qera was the first choice, thanks to his perceived greater prowess as a ball carrier.

But Hazell has turned in some fine battling performances in recent weeks, showing his own skills as a ball-winning openside.

Ryan must choose between two very different players, and Hazell knows it's all about balance.

"It's going to be pretty tough," Hazell said. "Q is going to play sometimes. When he does, I have to bide my time and keep playing the best I can.

"The coaches have got to find the best balance for the game they want to play.

"There are a lot of combinations they can pick, so it's going to be interesting to see how it all pans out.

"There are loads of big games on the way and everyone wants to play.

"When you have your chance you have to be ready to put absolutely everything out there because you don't know when your next chance will come."

The breakdown was one of the areas Gloucester struggled against Wasps, with Tom Rees and Serge Betsen combining to cause problems.

Hazell feels the referee's interpretation is more influential than ever during games.

"I'll do things in some games and think, 'I can't believe I got away with that'," he said.

"You do it the next week and it's an instant penalty.

"We're looking at why because it's a massive part of the game."

Hazell faces another arch nemesis in the shape of Worcester skipper Pat Sanderson on Sunday, and knows his work will be cut out again.

"He's always there antagonising, which makes it a mess," he said.

"Last week we had Betsen and Rees, this week Sanderson.

"He is one of their main threats. We've got to focus on stopping him and hopefully get a bit of quick ball and play from that."