The defeat destroyed Gloucester’s quarter-final hopes and raised questions about their frailty away from Kingsholm.

Gloucester have never lost a home Heineken Cup tie – beating Munster (twice), Perpignan, Cardiff, Colomiers and Llanelli, among others – but the away record shows just a 50% success rate.

“We have got to start beating teams like Munster away from home in Europe. We cannot simply rely on winning one-off games at Kingsholm,” said Gloucester rugby director Melville.

“You don’t win major cup competitions just by winning at home every week. The challenge we face is to produce our best form away from home.

“There is no more difficult place to play away than Munster, but we have to start beating these teams if we are to make the jump. It is up to us to crack that pressure, and we need to do it soon.

“We cannot get too far ahead of ourselves in the pool. We know that a win would be fantastic, but there are three very tough games to go.”

Gloucester have received a double boost with the return – albeit on the bench - of England prop Phil Vickery and back-row prospect James Forrester.

Vickery has been sidelined for a month with rib trouble, while Forrester missed the last seven weeks because of an ankle injury.

One change in the starting XV sees hooker Chris Fortey back instead of Chris Collins. Fortey was suspended for last week’s clash after being sent off in a Zurich Premiership game against Harlequins.

A Gloucester win this weekend would take them a minimum eight points clear at the top of Pool Five, but they know it will require a colossal effort.

“Some said we were disgraced in Munster last season, but they played very well,” claimed Gloucester’s in-form centre Henry Paul.

“They went for the game, and we were naive and stupid. I remember getting a few high balls to deal with. You make mistakes, roll with it and get on with life.

“Thomond Park is very similar to Kingsholm, and I really enjoyed the atmosphere over there – I was really buzzing. They really got in our faces and swamped us.

“We are really wary about going back to Limerick, because funny things can happen under pressure. We have got to put them under pressure and see how we can handle their pressure.”

Pool Four leaders Llanelli face Agen in France tomorrow, just eight days after defeating them 19-15 at Stradey Park.

The Scarlets were given a huge battle on home soil, conceding two tries, and Agen should be lifted by the return of captain Jean-Jacques Crenca who has served a four-week suspension.

“There will be a reversal of roles this weekend,” said Llanelli rugby director Gareth Jenkins.

“The expectation, the pressure, is on them – and the whole of Agen will be expecting a favourable home result.

“Saturday provides a great opportunity for us. This weekend is critical, but there is a confidence in our team. If we can go there and win it will put us in a great position, but it’s a huge ask.”

Cardiff Blues, effectively out of the Pool Three running, will be without Iestyn Harris for their Arms Park appointment against Biarritz tomorrow.

Harris suffered a back injury during the Blues’ 35-20 defeat in Biarritz last Saturday, and his place goes to 22-year-old Nicky Robinson.

Elsewhere tomorrow, Pool Six contenders Perpignan travel to Italian strugglers Calvisano – while four games are scheduled for Sunday.

Gwent Dragons meet injury-hit Pool One rivals Stade Francais in Paris – with the French champions minus scrum-half Agustin Pichot, lock David Auradou, hooker Benoit August and prop Pablo Lemoine who is suspended following his dismissal during a fiery battle at Rodney Parade six days ago.

Leeds must beat Pool Two leaders Edinburgh to keep alive their quarter-final chances, and Leinster will be without injured Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll against fellow Pool Three contenders Sale Sharks at Edgeley Park. The other fixture sees Bourgoin hosting Treviso in Pool Five.