FREDDIE Burns and Billy Twelvetrees are expected to be named in Stuart Lancaster's England squad in January – but Nigel Davies believes Gloucester can cope if they lose both parts of their midfield axis to international duty.
Gloucester's dual pivots have been central to the Cherry and Whites' impressive start to life under rugby director Davies.
And now England boss Lancaster is thought to be ready to promote both playmakers to his full-time Elite Player Squad, when he announces changes next month.
Harlequins centre Jordan Turner-Hall and former Gloucester and current Leicester midfielder Anthony Allen could be the men to make way for the Kingsholm duo.
Premiership top points-scorer and current player of the month Burns won his first cap in England's 38-21 New Zealand victory, landing two penalties in the latter stages of a stunning autumn internationals finale.
Muscular inside centre Twelvetrees has quickly forged an astute partnership with Burns, proving a gritty foil to the attacking fly-half.
Former Wales centre Davies would be delighted for both men if they receive the call, and he said he is comfortable with his options to offset any potential absence during the Six Nations.
Davies explained: "To a certain extent it would change how we cater for that but we certainly have the players and the depth to cope.
"I think we have to look at all our options in both those positions.
"We've played a large part of the season without key backs in other positions, like Jonny May and Henry Trinder.
"And now we've got James Simpson-Daniel out, and Charlie Sharples has only just come back.
"So we've had to plan around those and part of the way we've played the game has been around that as well.
"We do have to adapt and change, and play to our strengths, so if those two guys do end up going away for any time, then we'll have the cavalry to help support us."
Gearing up for a busy festive period, Davies will pit his players into two trial matches in three days this weekend.
Former Scarlets boss Davies has already selected two teams – one to face London Irish in Reading on Saturday, and another to face Harlequins at The Stoop on Monday night.
The Cherry and Whites take on Irish at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) in the first of an Amlin Challenge Cup double-header against the Exiles.
Gloucester United then travel to Twickenham to face Harlequins A (kick-off 7.30pm) in Monday night's A League semi-final.
Kingsholm boss Davies has placed equal importance on both games and has handed his whole squad a chance to impress.
Those that emerge in credit will be in pole position for Gloucester's second European clash with Irish, at Kingsholm on Saturday, December 15, and the Cherry and Whites' Christmas Premiership tussles with Exeter Chiefs and Leicester Tigers.
Davies said: "The A League semi-final on Monday night is just as important as Saturday's game at London Irish.
"We are trying to make some shifts in our approach, but we are still entirely intent on winning the games in this two-week sequence.
"We've already picked two teams to play in those two games, and we haven't overemphasised either.
"They are equally important.
"After these two games we'll pick a team to play against Irish at home, so everyone's got an opportunity over the next couple of games.
"They are two trial games to a certain extent.
"I see this very much as an opportunity in terms of pushing our game forward and giving chances to some players without at all in any way devaluing the fact that we want to be successful in these competitions.
"From my point of view, we have to plan ahead in terms of selection, targeting certain areas and moving our game forward.
"We planned these two games, the players know where they are – and after these two games we'll reassess where we are.
"We'll move forward after that. We've got a loose plan already to work with but then that will become more solid after these next two games."
