Gloucester v L Irish: Teams
Gareth Delve will make his first Gloucester appearance since the Premiership semi-final after being selected to take on London Irish.
Last Updated: 31/01/09 2:00pm
No.8 Gareth Delve will make his first appearance for Gloucester since the Guinness Premiership semi-final after being selected to take on London Irish.
Delve has made 11 Premiership appearances for Gloucester following his switch from Bath in 2007, only for him to rupture his ligaments in his left knee for the second time while playing for Wales against South Africa in the summer.
However he is now back to full fitness and will replace Luke Narraway, who is on international duty as one of Gloucester's three EPS players, in the side.
And after a long round back to playing, Delve has admitted he can't wait for 2.45pm on Saturday.
"I have been through a whole range of emotions over the last few weeks," Delve told the club's official website.
"There has been a lot of nervous energy, a bit of apprehension but tons of energy and enthusiasm - I cannot wait to get back out there again.
"It will be a special feeling to pull that Gloucester shirt over my head again and experience that match day togetherness with the squad. My rehabilitation has gone as well as I could have hoped for and now I have to put that into a game situation.
"I am not expecting miracles but I just want to contribute to the team - we understand just how big this game is for us and that calls for big hearts, lots of emotion and hard work - it will be very special to run out of that tunnel again."
Coach Dean Ryan also welcomes back Greg Somerville, who suffered a detached retina in his left eye against Irish in December, and Adam Eustace to his pack.
Talent
In the backs, Rory Lawson will partner Olly Barkley in the half-backs, while Anthony Allen and 19-year-old Henry Trinder form a youthful centre pairing.
London Irish coach Toby Booth is confident his side can perform "an outstanding performance" to topple Gloucester.
The Exiles won the top-of-the-table encounter at Madejski Stadium on December 20 - and Gloucester are gunning for revenge.
However, Booth has complete faith in his side doing the double over Ryan's men.
"Playing Gloucester at Kingsholm is as tough an away fixture as there is in the season," said Booth.
"Dean Ryan's squad is full of talent. There are all sorts of attacking combinations in midfield with players like Ryan Lamb, Anthony Allen and Olly Barkley and there is plenty of gas out wide with the likes of James Simpson-Daniel.
"They have a streetwise pack that push the letter of the law to the limit and includes key men like Olivier Azam and Peter Buxton. On top of that they are well coached and capable of playing some terrific rugby.
"We will have to produce an outstanding performance to maintain our momentum in the Premiership. With the enthusiastic backing of our travelling supporters I'm confident that we can do so."
Full-back Delon Armitage starts his first Premiership match in a month after being released by England to play, with Peter Hewat moving to fly-half.
Bob Casey and Nick Kennedy have also been freed to play so team up in the second row for the first time in 10 weeks.
Gloucester: 15 Willie Walker, 14 Iain Balshaw, 13 Henry Trinder, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 James Simpson-Daniel, 10 Olly Barkley, 9 Rory Lawson, 1 Alasdair Dickinson, 2 Olivier Azam (capt), 3 Greg Somerville, 4 Adam Eustace, 5 Alex Brown, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 7 Apo Satala, 8 Gareth Delve.
Replacements: 16 Andy Titterrell, 17 Nick Wood, 18 Marco Bortolami, 19 Andy Hazell, 20 Dave Lewis, 21 Ryan Lamb, 22 Mark Foster.
London Irish 15 Delon Armitage, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Elvis Seveali'i, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Adam Thompstone, 10 Peter Hewat, 9 Paul Hodgson, 1 Clarke Dermody, 2 David Paice, 3 Tonga Lea'aetoa, 4 Nick Kennedy, 5 Bob Casey (captain), 6 Richard Thorpe, 7 Declan Danaher, 8 Chris Hala'Ufia.
Replacements: 16 Alex Corbisiero, 17 Danie Coetzee, 18 Richard Skuse, 19 James Hudson, 20 Gary Johnson, 21 Alfredo Lalanne, 22 Mike Catt.