Gloucester v Wasps: Teams
Gloucester head coach Brian Redpath has shuffled his pack ahead of the Boxing Day clash with London Wasps at Kingsholm.
Last Updated: 26/12/11 6:21pm
Gloucester head coach Brian Redpath has shuffled his pack ahead of the Aviva Premiership Boxing Day clash with London Wasps at Kingsholm.
Rory Lawson and Freddie Burns resume their regular half back partnership with Henry Trinder and Jonny May also returning to the three-quarter line.
Prop Nick Wood is back to take up his usual loose head berth, while Alasdair Strokosch and Akapusi Qera fill the openside and blindside flankers roles respectively.
Redpath admits that he is looking for his side to rediscover top form having gone off the boil rather in recent weeks.
"We've been playing a little bit nervous and, when games get a little tight, we get a little bit anxious," said Redpath.
"So, this week's been about getting back to what we are and trying to get confidence back. We've been playing well and just not winning.
"It's going to be a real challenge on Boxing Day but one we're really looking forward to. We've won two in a row and, even though they weren't pretty, we'll take some confidence from that."
Robinson return
Meanwhile, Wasps fly-half Nick Robinson insists he is relishing his return to Kingsholm to face his old side.
Robinson will start for the Londoners at 10 in a side that sees three changes from the starting line-up who beat Bayonne in Europe last time out.
The changes see Joe Burton replace the injured John Hart at number eight, while Matt Everard and Ben Broster have recovered from minor knocks to start at flanker and prop respectively.
Marco Wentzel, man of the match against Bayonne, will captain the side from the second row.
"I know that it is a great place to play and even more so in a Boxing Day game in front of a sell-out crowd," said Robinson.
"Those big occasions are what you play for. The supporters at Kingsholm are very passionate and they are very vocal.
"They have got used to, and expect to see good rugby. We will need a big performance to get a result, as Gloucester are always a formidable side at home."
Gloucester: 15 Olly Morgan, 14 Jonny May, 13 Henry Trinder, 12 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, 11 James Simpson-Daniel, 10 Freddie Burns, 9 Rory Lawson, 8 Luke Narraway (capt) 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Jim Hamilton, 4 Peter Buxton, 3 Rupert Harden, 2 Scott Lawson, 1 Nick Wood.
Replacements: 16 Darren Dawidiuk, 17 Dan Murphy, 18 Dario Chistolini, 19 Brett Deacon, 20 Andy Hazell, 21 Dave Lewis, 22 Ryan Mills, 23 Charlie Sharples
London Wasps: 15 Hugo Southwell, 14 Richard Haughton, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Christian Wade, 10 Nick Robinson, 9 Joe Simpson, 8 Joe Burton, 7 Matt Everard, 6 Richard Birkett, 5 Marco Wentzel (c ), 4 Ed O'Donoghue, 3 Ben Broster, 2 Rob Webber, 1 Tim Payne.
Replacements: 16 Tom Lindsay, 17 Bob Baker, 18 Jeremy Castex, 19 Sam Jones, 20 James Harris, 21 Nic Berry, 22 Ryan Davis, 23 Tom Varndell.