Gloucester v Exeter: Teams
Gloucester make just a couple of changes as they look to avenge their opening day defeat against newcomers Exeter.
Last Updated: 07/01/11 12:28pm
Gloucester coach Bryan Redpath makes just a couple of changes to his side as they look to bounce back from defeat when Exeter arrive at Kingsholm on Saturday.
Winger Charlie Sharples and prop Paul Doran-Jones return to the Gloucester starting XV, with Redpath resisting the temptation to make wholesale changes to his side following the defeat at Leeds Carnegie last weekend.
Sharples comes in for Lesley Vainikolo who has missed training this week due to illness in the family, while Doran-Jones returns after a rest.
Those changes aside, the challenge is for those who were on duty at Leeds to bounce back in style this weekend against the Chiefs.
Exeter, of course, defeated Gloucester at Sandy Park on the opening day of the season, but Redpath denies that the result that day is providing any additional motivation ahead of Saturday.
"We beat ourselves down at Exeter. Credit to them for how they played and they've proved over the past three or four months that they are a very efficient team," said Redpath.
"They're very honest and hard working and that's been reflected in their results. They're a very good outfit who work very hard for each other."
Meanwhile, Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter is looking for a fast start as they look for just a second away win of the season, and they make the short trek up the M5 looking to complete their first-ever double in English rugby's top flight.
Baxter's troops stunned the rugby fraternity back in September when they kicked-off their Premiership adventure by sinking the Cherry & Whites 22-10 on the opening day of the season at Sandy Park.
Gareth Steenson was Exeter's chief tormentor as they beat Gloucester at the start of the season, and he returns for the first time since October after recovering from knee ligament damage.
His return is the sole change Baxter has made to the side which went down 22-15 at home to Leicester Tigers last Saturday. The Irishman takes over at No.10 from Ryan Davis, who drops to the bench.
Saturday's clash also sees a Kingsholm return for the likes of Haydn Thomas, Mark Foster and Baxter himself. All are former players with the Exeter coach having spent one season at the club. Like many, Baxter is looking forward to this latest away-day.
Gloucester: 15 Olly Morgan, 14 Charlie Sharples, 13 Mike Tindall (capt), 12 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, 11 James Simpson-Daniel, 10 Freddie Burns, 9 Rory Lawson, 8 Luke Narraway, 7 Andrew Hazell, 6 Peter Buxton, 5 Alex Brown, 4 Will James, 3 Paul Doran-Jones, 2 Scott Lawson, 1 Nick Wood.
Replacements: 16 Olivier Azam, 17 Pierre Capdevielle, 18 Rupert Harden, 19 Alasdair Strokosch, 20 Akapusi Qera, 21 Dave Lewis, 22 Tim Taylor, 23 Henry Trinder.
Exeter: 15 Luke Arscott, 14 Mark Foster, 13 Jason Shoemark, 12 Sereli Naqelevuki, 11 Nic Sestaret, 10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Haydn Thomas, 8 Richard Baxter, 7 James Scaysbrook, 6 Tom Johnson, 5 James Hanks, 4 Tom Hayes (capt), 3 Hoani Tui, 2 Chris Whitehead, 1 Brett Sturgess.
Replacements: 16 Simon Alcott, 17 Ben Moon, 18 Chris Budgen, 19 Chad Slade, 20 Dave Ewers, 21 Junior Poluleuligaga, 22 Ryan Davis, 23 Phil Dollman.