Gloucester host Worcester Warriors in the M5 derby under the lights on Friday night looking to boost their play off chances.
With a game in hand on those around them, Gloucester will be hoping that a win on Friday can put pressure on the teams around them.
George Skivington has made four changes to the starting 15 that slipped to a narrow loss to Sale Sharks last time out.
Chris Harris, Mark Atkinson, Adam Hastings and Val Rapava-Ruskin all return to the lineup with Ben Morgan and Louis Rees-Zammit set to appear off the bench.
Kyle Moyle keeps his spot at fullback with Santiago Carreras and Ollie Thorley on the wings. Chris Harris and Mark Atkinson start together in the midfield for the first time since the Challenge Cup fixture against USAP.
Adam Hasting returns at fly-half with Ben Meehan starting at 9.
In the forwards, Val Rapava-Ruskin will scrum down with Santiago Socino and Fraser Balmain in the front row with Freddie Clarke and Matias Alemanno at lock. Jordy Reid, Ruan Ackermann and captain, Lewis Ludlow, make up the backrow.
George Skivington said: “It’s a good derby game to start the run in to the end of the season. Worcester have found some decent form in recent times and they beat Exeter the other week. They certainly look like a very physical and abrasive team at the moment.
“It will make for a good game here on a Friday night.”
Worcester Warriors have been decimated by injury ahead of their journey down the M5 with more than 20 players ruled out due to illness, Covid-19 or injury.
They make three changes from their last Premiership outing, when they beat the Exeter Chiefs in a thriller at Sixways.
21-year-old loosehead prop Lewis Holsey will make his first Gallagher Premiership start after five appearances off the bench.
Will Chudley starts at scrum-half after Willi Heinz returned to New Zealand.
Kyle Hatherell returns to the back-row at blindside flanker following a six week absence due to a shoulder injury.
The bench includes Academy loosehead prop Ben Murphy and Caleb Montgomery – who was recently recalled from a loan at Cornish Pirates.
Written by BENJAMIN REDWOOD
