Friday sees Ospreys travel to Kingsholm to face Gloucester in the European Challenge Cup Quarter Finals.

There is a history of players playing for both clubs with ex-Wales internationals James Hook, Richard Hibbard and Gareth Delve amongst those who have worn both jerseys in the past.

Sportin Wales co-founder Gareth Anscombe is set to join that exclusive club having announced his signing to the Cherry and Whites last month and is now in a unique place to comment on the chances of both his former and future employers’ chances.

Speaking exclusively to Sportin Wales, fly-half Anscombe says he predicts that the game “should be close” on Friday night.

Anscombe was on co-commentary duties for Gloucester’s 30-25 win against Castres last Friday and was particularly impressed with the home side’s kicking game and dominance of the aerial battle.

“First half in particular Gloucester kicked well,” said Anscombe.

“They kicked a lot from Stephen Varney at scrum half, including from the middle of the field, which is unusual, but it forced Castres to split the back field.

“Then the wingers, Jonny May and Ollie Thorley were a real nuisance under the high ball, winning 50/50s and I reckon Gloucester will try and do the same this week by targeting the back three in the air and trying to hurt Ospreys there.”

The tactic would appear to make sense, with both the Ospreys wingers who started against Sale – Keelan Giles and Luke Morgan – being under 5”10.

Another area which stood out in Anscombe’s eyes was Gloucester’s centre pairing of Seb Atkinson and Wales international Max Llewellyn.

They were involved all three of the Cherry and White’s scores with Llewellyn’s burst and Atkinson’s assist for the opener while the former Cardiff centre crossed the try line for Gloucester’s third and final try of the game.

“I thought Llewellyn’s partnership with Seb Atkinson was impressive on both sides of the ball,” said Anscombe.

“They had an influence on Gloucester’s defensive play, flying up and cutting off the space as well as in attack.

“Llewellyn runs those lines into the seem off the lineout really well and you saw that for his try and the next few weeks are big for him in terms of putting his hand up for the Wales squad this summer.

“I thought he was unlucky not to make the World Cup squad and with Warren Gatland having said he may go back to bulking up the midfield if he can get a run of games he can get his name on the plane.”

Ospreys themselves have their own centre pairing of Wales internationals with Owen Watkin, who had an opportunity during the Six Nations, and Kieran Williams who will be looking to add to his solitary Wales cap from last summer.

“There’s a bit riding on this game now,” said Anscombe.

“With George North retiring, there’s an opportunity in the centres and it makes this game a bit more intriguing as a Welsh fan.”

On Ospreys, Anscombe said that it was a “Good performance in conditions that suited them” in their 23-15 win over Sale last weekend.

The game was held at Bridgend’s Brewery Field in showers and windy conditions, but the conditions will be different this Friday on Kingsholm’s 4G pitch.

Ospreys head coach Toby Booth has repeatedly said that his side “know what we are” in press conferences referring to their forward orientated game plan and believe they could get some joy in that area at Kingsholm on Friday.

“Ospreys are a tough side to beat,” said Anscombe.

“They took their tries well on the weekend, particularly the Morgan Morris one which was created really well, and they hurried Sale defensively.

“They will look to challenge Gloucester up front and Castres got some joy there last week with two driving maul tries late on while the scrum also came under pressure at times.

“If Ospreys get the game they want, they’ll be a big threat.”

Ospreys are the last Welsh region left in Europe and Anscombe feels it has been the feel-good story Welsh rugby has needed after a difficult year.

“It’s nice to have a Welsh side able to compete in Europe and if they made top eight in the league it would be an achievement which no one thought they could do at the start of the year,” said Anscombe.

“It creates positivity around Welsh rugby and if they beat Gloucester, it will be a massive confidence booster for the rest of their season.”