Gloucester v Worcester: Teams

Gloucester head coach Bryan Redpath has rung the changes for the LV= Cup match against Worcester at Kingsholm on Saturday.

There are new faces in both the backs and the forwards, yet it is still a line-up that features eight full internationals in the XV and four more amongst the replacements.

Freddie Burns and Charlie Sharples, who both signed new deals recently are both restored to the starting line-up at full-back and wing respectively.

Lesley Vainikolo is over his stomach upset and Dave Lewis starts at scrum-half in place of Rory Lawson.

19-year-old prop Yann Thomas is set for his first full start for the club alongside the French front-row duo of Olivier Azam and Pierre Capdevielle, whilst there are returns for the experienced Marco Bortolami and Peter Buxton.

England U20 prop Shaun Knight features amongst the replacements and, named for the first time in a Gloucester squad, are fly-half Tim Taylor and Fijian wing Semi Tadulala.

Forwards coach Carl Hogg explained the reasons for the new faces when he spoke to the local media this week.

"We've made a few changes which have been enforced by national selections but that gives opportunities for others to come in and put their hands up," he said.

"We've picked a reasonably strong side because we want to build momentum. But Worcester are a tough team and are a picking a strong side, I believe.

"They've given us some tough games, beat us home and away last season and drew at Kingsholm a few weeks ago. It'll be a good challenge."

Meanwhile, Sevens expert Chris Cracknell will make his Worcester debut.

Back-row Cracknell, who moved to Sixways in December, lines up alongside skipper Pat Sanderson and Kai Horstmann as Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock names a powerful side for the contest in the West Country.

Impressive

Chris Latham and Sam Tuitupou return to the backs, while Chris Pennell appears on the wing after impressing at full-back against Montpellier.

Tom Wood and Miles Benjamin are not selected as they will represent England Saxons on Sunday and Matt Mullan is left out after spending the week in Portugal with England. However, Alex Grove returns from a Scottish training camp to take his place on the replacements bench.

"Gloucester is never an easy place to go and I expect our hosts to go out and have a real go away from the pressures of the Guinness Premiership," said Ruddock.

"They are in the quarter finals of the Amlin Challenge Cup so I have a feeling they will run the ball from everywhere and play some quality rugby.

"They are a very good team when they do that so it will mean we have got to defend very strongly. But, of course, it is also about trying to get some points on the board. What we have to avoid is giving them a head start like we did when we went there in the league."

Gloucester: 15 Freddie Burns, 14 Charlie Sharples, 13 Tim Molenaar, 12 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, 11 Lesley Vainikolo, 10 Nicky Robinson, 9 Dave Lewis, 8 Gareth Delve (capt), 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Peter Buxton, 5 Alex Brown, 4 Marco Bortolami, 3 Pierre Capdevielle, 2 Olivier Azam, 1 Yann Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Darren Dawidiuk, 17 Greg Somerville, 18 Shaun Knight, 19 Adam Eustace, 20 Andy Hazell, 21 Rory Lawson, 22 Tim Taylor, 23 Semi Tadulala.

Worcester: 15 Chris Latham, 14 Chris Pennell, 13 Dale Rasmussen, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Rico Gear, 10 Willie Walker, 9 Jonny Arr, 8 Kai Horstmann, 7 Pat Sanderson (capt), 6 Chris Cracknell, 5 Craig Gillies, 4 Greg Rawlinson, 3 Olivier Sourgens, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Adam Black.
Replacements: 16 Jack Gilding, 17 Chris Fortey, 18 Tevita Taumoepeau, 19 Graham Kitchener, 20 James Collins, 21 Ryan Powell, 22 Matthew Jones, 23 Alex Grove.

Date: Saturday, January 30
Kick-off: 15:00
Venue: Kingsholm
Referee: Leighton Hodges (Wales)
Assistant referees: Ashley Rowden (England), Paul Burton (England)
Television match official: Matt Peters (England), Clive Leeke (England)
Assessor: Nigel Yates (England)