Green still haunted by Wasps' black day

Dowd, 31, and capped 59 times by New Zealand, is relishing his clash with opposite number Phil Vickery, while Green will lock horns again with Vickery's fellow England prop Trevor Woodman.

Gloucester's two World Cup winning props have been criticised in some quarters for dropping off the pace since England's triumph in Sydney last November.

Indeed, throughout the Six Nations they failed to reach the heights of their World Cup displays.

Green, however, who won the last of his four international caps last August, can understand why levels of intensity may fall in the frenzied aftermath of a World Cup victory. "I've only had a limited time away with England, but I know that it is very difficult sometimes to slot back into things after a major event," he said. "I think all the World Cup players have struggled a little bit since the win, but that was bound to happen and not just through the fatigue of a long season.

"The mental side of being involved in the fantastic current England setup is a big factor.

"It is dangerous ground to say Vickery and Woodman have gone off the boil, and I certainly wouldn't agree with that. But players just can't keep on peaking every week.

"We have such a long season in the Northern Hemisphere that it is simply not possible.

"But you can bet your life that both Vickery and Woodman, being the players they are, will be looking to hit a peak in a Heineken Cup quarter-final.

"They are Gloucester boys through and through and I have huge respect for their abilities and what they have achieved in the game.

"I've probably played against Trevor six or seven times, and Phil a few more than that, so I know exactly what they're capable of. Trevor is perhaps the best ball-carrying loosehead prop in the world on his day, and would definitely be in my top three, while Vickery is one of the very best defensively.

"But I'm looking forward to testing myself against them once again, and Craig feels the same.

"We have a brilliant rivalry with Gloucester anyway, as a club, and I love that.

"Make no mistake, Craig and I will be looking to do a job on Trevor and Phil - because if we get into them in terms of scrummaging then they won't find it as easy to get around the field and do all their other stuff as well."

Shaun Edwards, the Wasps coach, believes midfield space will be at a premium on Sunday, due to the good defence of both clubs.

That, in itself, would put enormous added focus on the outcome of the battle up front, where Wasps lock Simon Shaw promises to be another key figure.

But for Green, who became a father four weeks ago when his son Arthur was born, the desire to celebrate victory could not be fiercer.

There is not just the memory of Northampton 2000, and the fact that Wasps have never gone beyond the Heineken Cup quarter-finals in two attempts.

There is also the challenge of taking on a couple of World Cup winners in a bid to lay a personal ghost.