Gloucester v Exeter: Teams

Gloucester coach Bryan Redpath has made nine changes to his line-up as they face play-off rivals Exeter at Kingsholm.

A run of three straight wins had revived Gloucester's push for a top-four place - only for Redpath's side to suffer defeat to Leicester last time out, though.

And with a four-point gap between them and fifth-placed Exeter, Gloucester know that they can't afford to slip up.

As a result Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, Charlie Sharples and James Simpson-Daniel return to the back division.

In the pack, Matt Cox, Alex Brown and Rupert Harden all keep their places - with Dan Murphy, Scott Lawson, Jim Hamilton, Akapusi Qera and Luke Narraway returning.

"This week is about getting the detail right and getting our minds right," said Redpath.

"It's a big game. Exeter are in fifth position and they deserve to be there.

"They may have only been promoted two seasons ago, but they're a Premiership side now and they're here to stay.

"They're very tough, very durable and a hard working group. You can never take them lightly.

"We may be back at Kingsholm but we have to make sure we take nothing for granted against a very well organised Exeter side."

Enthusiastic

Exeter boss Rob Baxter has told his players to go out and enjoy the occasion when they face Gloucester.

Baxter, who has named an unchanged starting XV, said: "Fifth versus sixth, it's a big game at this stage of the season. I've just said to the players I want to see who can thrive in this environment. Some players come good at this stage, whilst some don't. However, we have to learn to come good, both as individuals and as a team.

"We've talked this week about being enthusiastic and going out and attacking games as hard as we can - if we do that we look a good side. We did it against Sale, so all we've said to the guys is get out of the blocks again and see what we can get out of it."

Baxter has made a change among his replacements, with Fijian powerhouse Sireli Naqelevuki, who has not played a game since breaking his arm in the 24-19 defeat to Gloucester in November, returning.

Gloucester: 15 Jonny May, 14 Charlie Sharples, 13 Mike Tindall, 12 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, 11 James Simpson-Daniel, 10 Freddie Burns, 9 Dave Lewis, 1 Dan Murphy, 2 Scott Lawson, 3 Rupert Harden, 4 Jim Hamilton, 5 Alex Brown, 6 Matt Cox, 7 Akapusi Qera, 8 Luke Narraway (capt).
Replacements: 16 Darren Dawidiuk, 17 Yann Thomas, 18 Shaun Knight, 19 Tom Savage, 20 Peter Buxton, 21 Nick Runciman, 22 Tim Taylor, 23 Tim Molenaar

Exeter: 15 Phil Dollman, 14 Gonzalo Camacho, 13 Bryan Rennie, 12 Jason Shoemark, 11 Matt Jess, 10 Ignacio Mieres, 9 Haydn Thomas, 1 Hoani Tui, 2 Chris Whitehead, 3 Craig Mitchell, 4 Tom Hayes (capt), 5 James Hanks, 6 Tom Johnson, 7 James Scaysbrook, 8 Richard Baxter.
Replacements: 16 Neil Clark, 17 Ben Moon, 18 Chris Budgen, 19 Aly Muldowney, 20 Ben White, 21 Kevin Barrett, 22 Gareth Steenson, 23 Sireli Naqelevuki