Gloucester v Saracens: Teams

Gloucester will look to bounce back from their Heineken Cup exit against the side they could have faced in the semi-final.

Had Gloucester overcome Munster in the last eight they would have tackled Saracens for a place in the final.

However, the Cherry and Whites will have to be content with trying to get their Guinness Premiership campaign back on track against Sarries.

Gloucester coach Dean Ryan said: "We did not have four or five weeks of playing well going into the Munster game, but given the disruption, we played really well. The key now is to take that forward.

"The side we want to be was there against Munster in a lot of ways but we need to replicate that in the rest of our games to be competitive towards the end of the Premiership season.

"We have to learn from last weekend and learn from last year's experiences. If we can do both those things, and maximise our opportunities, we've got a chance of being really competitive in the knockout stages of the competition.

"I believe very strongly we are getting better and maturing. Nobody wanted to experience last weekend but we have to get better from it and understand and appreciate the lessons, take that forward into tomorrow and be competitive.

Confident

"Saracens are in some great form - their victory over the Ospreys was tremendous - and they have just come off the back of scoring ten tries against Leeds. They will be confident but it is our job to go out and produce a performance."

Ryan has made five changes, with Olly Morgan and Anthony Allen both out injured. Willie Walker and Mike Tindall are recalled in their places, while Akapusi Qera, Alasdair Strokosch and Iain Balshaw also come into the starting XV.

Saracens director of rugby Alan Gaffney has handed Matias Aguero only his second start, with the Italian having endured an injury-hit season.

And injuries have hit the Vicarage Road club hard with Paul Gustard, Brent Russell, Francisco Leonelli and Andy Farrell all missing.

"Matias has been very unlucky in terms of injury since he joined us," said Gaffney.

"We're pleased to have him available in what is a competitive position at the club. Nick Lloyd is being rested this weekend and we've also got Kevin Yates fighting for a place.

"On the other side of the scrum, we've decided to stick with Cobus Visagie at tight-head because he needs a bit more game time under his belt. That's not a slight on Cencus Johnston, far from it. It's just that we have a few options in that area.

"We picked up a few injuries last week and in certain areas, we are down to the bare bones.

"Gustard and Leonelli should both return next week with Russell expected to be out for two weeks.

"But this is still a very competitive side and one that is capable of getting the result we want at Gloucester.

Gloucester: 15 Willie Walker 14 Iain Balshaw, 13 James Simpson-Daniel, 12 Mike Tindall, 11 Lesley Vainikolo, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Rory Lawson, 8 Luke Narraway, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Alex Brown, 4 Marco Bortolami (capt), 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Andy Titterrell, 1 Nick Wood.
Replacements: 16 Olivier Azam, 17 Jack Forster, 18 Gareth Delve, 19 Will James, 20 Gareth Cooper, 21 Chris Paterson, 22 Jack Adams.

Saracens: 15 Dan Scarbrough, 14 Richard Haughton, 13 Kevin Sorrell, 12 Adam Powell, 11 Kameli Ratuvou, 10 Glen Jackson, 9 Neil de Kock (c), 8 Ben Skirving, 7 Don Barrell, 6 Kris Chesney, 5 Tom Ryder, 4 Hugh Vyvyan, 3 Cobus Visagie, 2 Matt Cairns, 1 Matias Aguero.
Replacements: 16 Fabio Ongaro, 17 Cencus Johnston, 18 Iain Fullarton, 19 David Seymour, 20 Moses Rauluni, 21 Gordon Ross, 22 Rodd Penney.