London Irish v Gloucester: Teams
Mike Tindall will make a rare start at fly-half for Gloucester in their LV= Cup clash with London Irish at the Madejski Stadium.
Last Updated: 03/02/12 2:47pm
Mike Tindall will make a rare start at fly-half for Gloucester in their LV= Cup clash with London Irish at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.
Shorn of the services of a dozen players this week due to international call-ups, it's a reshuffled Gloucester side who will take to the field against the Exiles.
As a result, Tindall will start in the number ten shirt for the Cherry and Whites, while there is a full debut for Academy winger Ian Clark.
The pack is the one that started against the Cardiff Blues last week with the exception of Matt Cox coming in for the injured Brett Deacon at eight.
The replacements include a welcome return for second row Tom Savage who starts for the first time since mid-November and a call-up for Billy Burns, younger brother of Freddie, another member of the Academy.
Looking ahead to the game when he addressed the media this week, Redpath admitted that this week presents an unusual challenge.
"It's going to be pretty tricky at the weekend but it's just something that we've got to get on with," he said. "With the U20s, Saxons, England and Scotland, it's just a tough time. And we've picked up a few injuries along the way as well.
"You know it's going to happen so we'll go into the game and do our best with what we've got and not look for any excuses."
Gloucester remain in the hunt for an LV= Cup semi-final spot but need the Scarlets to slip up at Sale to have a chance of progressing.
Five changes for Exiles
Meanwhile, London Irish have made five changes to their side for the round four clash.
Adam Thompstone and Sailosi Tagicakibau are named on the wings with Shontayne Hape and Jonathan Spratt forming the centre partnership.
In addition, Matt Garvey will start at blindside flanker after returning to the club from England Saxons duty.
"This time of year is always difficult with players away on international duty. That has been exacerbated by the injury list we currently have," said London Irish head coach Toby Booth.
"However, last weekend we showed a lot of attacking intent which we aim to replicate tomorrow whilst being more clinical in the final third."
London Irish: 15 Tom Homer, 14 Adam Thompstone, 13 Jonathan Spratt, 12 Shontayne Hape, 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Dan Bowden, 9 Darren Allinson, 8 Richard Thorpe, 7 David Sisi, 6 Matt Garvey, 5 Bryn Evans, 4 Nick Kennedy, 3 Paulica Ion, 2 Brian Blaney, 1 Clarke Dermody (capt).
Replacements: 16 David Paice, 17 Max Lahiff, 18 Mark George, 19 Kieran Roche, 20 Alex Gray, 21 Guy Armitage, 22 Adrian Jarvis, 23 Ross Samson.
Gloucester: 15 Tom Voyce, 14 Ian Clark, 13 Tim Molenaar, 12 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, 11 James Simpson-Daniel, 10 Mike Tindall, 9 Dave Lewis, 8 Matt Cox, 7 Andy Hazell, 6 Peter Buxton (capt), 5 Alex Brown, 4 Will James, 3 Shaun Knight, 2 Darren Dawidiuk, 1 Dan Murphy.
Replacements: 16 Matias Cortese, 17 Yann Thomas, 18 Dario Chistolini, 19 Tom Savage, 20 Gareth Evans, 21 Nick Runciman, 22 Billy Burns, 23 Akapusi Qera.