Gloucester vs Leicester Tigers Prediction: Anscombe can take out toothless Tigers

Leicester Tigers were walloped 80-12 in Toulouse last Sunday and their away woes could continue when they head to Gloucester on Saturday (15:05, TNT Sports 2). The Cherry and Whites also had a troubling time in the south of France, losing 55-17 at Bayonne in the Challenge Cup.

However, they rested several of their stars for that game, while Leicester, who missed out on a home tie in the last 16 of the Champions Cup, will be without their England squad members, who have jetted off on a warm weather training camp to prepare for the Six Nations. By contrast, Gloucester can call upon Gareth Anscombe and after his puzzling snub by Wales, the fly-half can set the tone for his side to record a fourth home victory of the campaign.

Rugby Union Odds

Team news

Gloucester can call on their three Welsh players to have been called up for the Six Nations, with starts for lock Freddie Thomas and scrum-half Tomos Williams, while Josh Hathaway is on the bench.

Anscombe will partner Williams in the halves, while former British & Irish Lions centre Chris Harris makes his 100th appearance for the club.

Leicester are without five England players but can call upon Wales duo Nicky Smith and Tommy Reffell at loosehead prop and openside flanker.

Wing Adam Radwan makes his debut on the right wing following his recent signing from Newcastle, while tighthead prop Dan Cole makes his first start of the season, marking the 253rd occasion he has pulled on the Tigers' shirt.

Match odds, Gloucester vs Leicester Tigers 

Gloucester have won six of their last seven matches at home in all competitions and are 4/7 to extend their run, with the Tigers 6/4 to record their first Premiership away victory since October.

The tie is 18/1, while the handicap is -5, with the hosts 20/21 giving away a five-point deficit.

Home boss George Skivington found his position under scrutiny after finishing ninth last season. However, the Gloucester board's faith has been repaid, with his team starting round 11 fifth in the table, a place and three points behind Leicester.

A victory at Kingsholm is likely to propel them into the play-off places and they can overpower a Tigers side lacking their biggest names.

Rather than looking to wipe the slate clean and bond together after being embarrassed in Toulouse, they have again had to rotate and are also dealing with the rumours that boss Michael Cheika will be departing after just a single season at Welford Road.

The pair's reserves met in last season's Premiership Rugby Cup final, with Gloucester triumphing 23-13 but they have not beaten Leicester at home in the league since August 2020.

Saturday looks like a superb chance for them to set the record straight and they can do so with a bit to spare against the visitors whose morale will have been demolished by their defeat at the Stade Ernest-Wallon.

Rugby Union Betting Tips with Betfred Insights.