Challenge Cup final: Gloucester bid to end season on a high in familiar territory as Cardiff Blues without Gethin Jenkins

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Cardiff Blues will be without captain Gethin Jenkins for Friday’s European Challenge Cup final against Gloucester after the veteran prop was ruled out with the calf injury that he suffered in the semi-final victory over Pau. Both sides made widespread changes for their final domestic games of the season, although while Cardiff edged rivals Ospreys to clinch a place in next year’s European Champions Cup, Gloucester were thrashed by Saracens and conceded their own place to Bath as a result. Gloucester, who make one change from the side that beat an understrength Newcastle Falcons in the semi-finals with Ackermann’s son, Ruan, preferred at No 8 to Ben Morgan, won the Challenge Cup back in 2006 as well as their most recent success three years ago, and just missed out in last year’s final in a 25-17 defeat by Stade Francais. open image in gallery Taufa'ao Filise will make his 225th and final appearance for Cardiff this Friday But on the positive side for Gloucester, they do have plenty of star names capable of turning the game on its head – even if England head coach doesn’t believe so.