Champions Cup Match Up - Cipriani v Carbery
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Danny Cipriani - Gloucester Rugby
The 16-times capped England international makes his eagerly anticipated return from a five-week chest injury to start at fly half against Munster in Gloucester's must-win European Champions Cup tie at Kingsholm. The home side currently lie bottom of the group but Johan Ackermann's side can finish top of the pile if they win by more than seven points with a try bonus.
Cipriani has provided the Cherry & Whites with the creativity and spark that has seen them rise to fourth in the Premiership but their European hopes rest on the shoulder's of the enigmatic No. 10 against the Irish province.
Since his summer switch from Coventry, the 31-year-old has played 13 games for Gloucester (9 Premiership/4 Champions Cup) winning seven of those contests. He tops the Premiership tally for line-break assists, which highlights how devastating he can be when given the keys to a backline.
As for the Champions Cup, Gloucester have won both of the games in which Cipriani has completed more than 40 minutes, a quite telling stat to the importance of the mercurial fly-half.
Joey Carbery - Munster Rugby
After his high profile summer switch from Dublin to Limerick, Irish international fly-half Joey Carbery is beginning to flourish in the red of Munster. He is becoming more assured of his role in the side with each passing appearance. Last weekend in Galway, Carbery had arguably his finest performance for the province against Connacht.
Already bagged four tries for the season, Carbery remains a constant threat whether at fly-half or lining up deeper in the full-back position. He has made 8 appearances in the Guinness Pro14, scoring three tries and kicking at an impressive 87% off the kicking tee. In Europe, Carbery has led Munster to a home win over Gloucester and started both away games where Munster are yet to taste victory.
With Johnny Sexton nursing a knee injury, Carbery can stake a claim towards a potential starting position against England in the Six Nations opener with an impressive showing.
The battle of the tens at Kingsholm will be certainly one to keep an eye on with both players pushing to prove their World Cup credentials.