Saracens v Gloucester: Teams

Saracens will be looking to maintain their 100 per cent start to the season when they take on Gloucester at Vicarage Road on Sunday.

After 'home' matches at Twickenham and Wembley, Saracens return to their real home this week as Brendan Venter looks to build on wins over London Irish, Northampton and Harlequins.

In team news, captain Steve Borthwick has been passed fit in the second row and he is joined by South African Mouritz Botha at lock. Wikus van Heerden returns to the back row and Fabio Ongaro gets his first start of the season at hooker.

The back-line sees Glen Jackson return to the fly-half spot while on the bench, prop Matias Aguero is back from injury to get his first run out of the season.

"We've had a good start to the season but while we have enjoyed the wins, we're not patting ourselves on the back and there are still plenty of games to go this season," said Venter.

Banned

"We've shown we've got strength within the squad and we've been able to bring in some fresh faces this weekend which shows the depth we have.

"Gloucester will no doubt come to us with a point to prove and I'm sure they will be looking to get back on track especially with the talented players they have in their squad.

"Our fans have given us so much support in such numbers so far this season and we're all looking forward to performing for them at Vicarage Road - a ground that much be our fortress."

Meanwhile, Gloucester's summer signing signing, prop Paul Doran-Jones, will make his full Guinness Premiership debut whilst Adam Eustace will feature for the first time as he takes over from Gareth Delve at number eight.

Doran-Jones comes in for Greg Somerville at tighthead with the New Zealand international ruled out after a training ground incident which has also sidelined Marco Bortolami.

Eustace, who has played at number eight in the A League this term, replaces the banned Gareth Delve with Luke Narraway ruled out for several weeks after back surgery.

Other changes see James Simpson-Daniel return on the wing having recovered from the illness that ruled him out last week and Rory Lawson resume his half-back partnership with Nicky Robinson.

In the pack, Olivier Azam makes his first start of the season at hooker whilst Peter Buxton forms a new-look lock partnership with Alex Brown and Alasdair Strokosch returns at six.

Enthusiasm

Having lost their two previous Guinness Premiership outings, Gloucester will be looking to bounce back this weekend but face a tough task as they take on unbeaten Saracens.

Head coach Bryan Redpath admitted that there had been some tough talking done after the home defeat to Northampton last Saturday.

"Last weekend was disappointing in that our enthusiasm and energy levels weren't where they should be. Northampton came with a simple gameplan. They didn't have to beat us, we beat ourselves," he said.

"But this weekend is based on a reaction to what happened last weekend. We've done our analysis and we highlighted individuals and highlighted the team work ethic in front of everyone to make sure no-one can hide."

Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Noah Cato, 13 Kameli Ratuvou, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Chris Wyles, 10 Glen Jackson, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Andy Saull, 6 Wikus van Heerden, 5 Mouritz Botha, 4 Steve Borthwick (capt), 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Fabio Ongaro, 1 Rhys Gill.
Replacements: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Matias Aguero, 18 Richard Skuse, 19 Hugh Vyvyan, 20 Michael Owen, 21 Justin Marshall, 22 Derick Hougaard, 23 Richard Haughton.

Gloucester: 15 Tom Voyce, 14 James Simpson-Daniel, 13 Mike Tindall (capt), 12 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, 11 Lesley Vainikolo, 10 Nicky Robinson, 9 Rory Lawson, 8 Adam Eustace, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Alex Brown, 4 Peter Buxton, 3 Paul Doran-Jones, 2 Olivier Azam, 1 Alasdair Dickinson.
Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Shaun Knight, 18 Pierre Capdevielle, 19 Apo Satala, 20 Andrew Hazell, 21 Dave Lewis, 22 Freddie Burns, 23 Charlie Sharples.