Gloucester will have to be clinical, says Simpson-Daniel

James Simpson-Daniel has warned his Gloucester team-mates they must be at their clinical best when they face Ospreys this afternoon.

The England winger believes his side may only get one or two try-scoring opportunities – and says a repeat of last weekend's profligate performance at Worcester will bring the curtain down on their Anglo-Welsh Cup ambitions.

Gloucester spurned chance after chance as they lost 14-10 in the Guinness Premiership derby at Sixways – and Simpson-Daniel knows they must do better against the galacticos from the Liberty Stadium.

The 26-year-old is fit to play after overcoming a hip injury – and recognises the importance of taking any chances that come his way at the Ricoh Arena.

"We looked at the Worcester game and all the chances that went begging. And we are coming into this weekend well aware that chances need to be taken in order to get a result," said Simpson-Daniel.

"If you get three, four or five try-scoring chances and don't take any of them, you shoot yourself in the foot.

"We might only get one or two chances in a game like this – there definitely won't be as many chances as last weekend – and we have to take them.

"We learned that from playing against Munster in the Heineken Cup last season. They got one opportunity against us – and they took it. And we need to be just as clinical against Ospreys."

The EDF Energy Cup would probably not have been at the top of Dean Ryan's to-do list when he set out his targets for this season. But, having negotiated the pool stage and reached the last four, Simpson-Daniel says Gloucester are desperate to go all the way.

First they must overcome a side who have become as well known for their gritty, street-wise approach to the ruck and maul as they have for their talented, inventive backs.

"They are very street-wise. They play on the borderline of what they can get away with – and it's very effective," said Simpson-Daniel. "They are very impressive from 1 to 22. You look at the forwards and the backs and it's an international outfit all the way through.

"We are not thinking about the final yet, because winning this game is a massive, massive ask. And even if we do win, we will have to put the final in our back pocket until it comes along, because there is still so much to play for in the Premiership.

"We got it wrong in the Heineken Cup this season, but this has come along and it gives us a huge opportunity. At the start of the season we set out to target all the competitions – and this one is very important to us."

Gloucester head coach Ryan has made seven changes to the side beaten by Worcester last weekend, welcoming Simpson-Daniel, Mike Tindall, Ryan Lamb, Alasdair Dickinson, Alasdair Strokosch, Andy Hazell and Gareth Delve back into his starting line-up. With Carlos Spencer cup-tied, Ryan has selected Lamb ahead of Olly Barkley at fly-half.

Ospreys have picked Gavin Henson at full-back after Wales star Lee Byrne hobbled out of their final Six Nations match last weekend with a foot injury.

Wales internationals Huw Bennett, Alun-Wyn Jones and Mike Phillips will all start on the bench, but Ryan Jones returns to captain his side from No 8.

Worcester director of rugby Mike Ruddock has admitted he would be interested in signing fly-half Lamb from Gloucester should he become available this summer.

The 22-year-old has been linked with a move away from Kingsholm after losing his place to Spencer.

With Cardiff Blues fly-half Nicky Robinson joining Gloucester this summer, Lamb's opportunities are likely to become even further restricted next season – but he still has one year to run on his Kingsholm deal.

Ruddock said: "Ryan is under contract with Gloucester, but he is a quality player. If he became available, then I'd certainly consider him for my squad."

Gloucester: O Morgan; I Balshaw, M Tindall (capt), A Allen, J Simpson-Daniel; R Lamb, R Lawson; A Dickinson, O Azam, G Somerville, W James, A Brown, A Strokosch, A Hazell, G Delve. Reps: S Lawson, C Nieto, M Bortolami, A Qera, G Cooper, O Barkley, M Watkins.

Ospreys: G Henson; T Bowe, S Parker, A Bishop, S Williams; J Hook, J Nutbrown; P James, R Hibbard, A Jones, I Gough, A Lloyd, T Smith, M Holah, R Jones (capt). Reps: H Bennett, C Griffiths, A-W Jones, F Tiatia, M Phillips, D Biggar, J Spratt.