The form guide points to Gloucester booking a place against Wasps or Bath at Twickenham on May 31 for what would be their third Premiership final appearance in six seasons.

On both previous visits, in 2003 and 2007, Gloucester were thumped - 39-3 by Wasps, then 44-16 by Leicester.

And Ryan warned: ''Leicester are very dangerous.

''There has been a lot written about their form over a period of time, which is a separate argument.

''On the day, when you look at their playing list and their experience at this level, they are very capable of winning a game like this one and going on and winning the whole thing.

''I see the threat. We are fully aware of what they are capable of bringing to this game.

''We were well beaten last year, but I would like to think a year on we've matured and we are better for it.''

Ryan is hopeful that Gloucester's outstanding Fijian flanker Akapusi Qera - left ''battered and bruised'' after a stunning display during an epic 8-6 win against Bath last Saturday - will be fit, while England centre Mike Tindall looks on course to shake off an ankle problem.

''The nature of the play-offs means you have got the four best sides in the country in them, and you can easily win or lose those games,'' Ryan added.

''It is very much sudden death and we have got to play accordingly.

''You can search for formulas but they are just not there. It is about working hard during the week, it's about getting things right that you want to do and then applying them in the game, it's as simple as that.

''If we don't, we will lose because we are playing against a good side. If we do, we stand a good chance of winning.''

Bath, meanwhile, head to Adams Park on Sunday with their injury victims of the Gloucester tussle - England front-row forwards Lee Mears and Matt Stevens - both making good recoveries.

Victory for Bath, who last won the title in 1996, would end Lawrence Dallaglio's Wasps career as he edges closer towards retirement.

And Bath, whose defeat at Gloucester saw them slip into third behind Wasps, are in the mood to sting their hosts.

Head coach Steve Meehan said: ''The players have been very direct, aggressive and confrontational in training, which is a nice sign.

''The players are searching to do the best they possibly can. You don't want a carnival atmosphere at training.

''In games like this, you might not win it until the 78th or 79th minute. I know it's a cliche, but you must play for the whole 80 minutes.

''If we execute things as well as we can, we are a difficult team to stop. The guys are looking forward to the challenge.

''Gloucester have proved this season you can go to Wasps and win, and there is no reason why we can't.

''We are playing well - we've just got to stick with our systems and give them a real challenge.''