Gloucester v L Welsh preview

Published: Friday, 22. March, 2013 in category Aviva Premiership
Jim Hamilton: Returns from Scotland duty to captain Gloucester

Gloucester welcome back key players from international duty for Saturday's Premiership clash with London Welsh at Kingsholm.

Gloucester have lost two of their last four Premiership encounters and will look to get back to winning ways as they seek a play-off spot.

London Welsh, meanwhile, have suffered seven successive defeats in all competitions and enter the clash bottom of the table after being handed a five-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player earlier in the season.

Gloucester coach Nigel Davies makes a number of changes to his side as players return from international duty.

Scotland's Jim Hamilton comes straight back into the side as captain following the Six Nations, while Billy Twelvetrees starts after featuring in England's campaign.

In a new-look pack Davies names Huia Edmonds and Shaun Knight in the front row while Andy Hazell and Peter Buxton get the nod on the flanks.

The visitors make five changes, with Seb Jewell, Gonzalo Tiesi, Dan George and Daniel Browne all making the starting XV.

Jewell replaces the injured Tom Arscott at inside centre while Tiesi returns to the number 13 jersey after an injury lay-off.

London Welsh coach Lyn Jones has opted for George in the front row with Greg Bateman demoted to the bench while Browne starts at number eight against his former club with Alfie To'oala missing out.

Gloucester: 15 Rob Cook, 14 Charlie Sharples, 13 Mike Tindall, 12 Billy Twelvetrees, 11 Jonny May, 10 Freddie Burns, 9 Dan Robson, 8 Sione Kalamafoni, 7 Andy Hazell, 6 Peter Buxton, 5 Will James, 4 Jim Hamilton (capt), 3 Shaun Knight, 2 Huia Edmonds, 1 Nick Wood.

Replacements: 16 Koree Britton, 17 Yann Thomas, 18 Dario Chistolini, 19 Tom Savage, 20 Akapusi Qera, 21 Dave Lewis, 22 Henry Trinder, 23 Martyn Thomas.

London Welsh: 15 Seb Jewell, 14 Phil MacKenzie, 13 Gonzalo Tiesi, 12 Sonny Parker, 11 Seb Stegmann, 10 Gavin Henson, 9 Tyson Keats, 8 Daniel Browne, 7 Michael Hills, 6 Julio Cabello Farias, 5 Kirill Kulemin, 4 Jonathan Mills (capt), 3 James Tideswell, 2 Greg Dan George, 1 Tom Bristow.

Replacements: 16 Greg Bateman, 17 Billy Moss, 18 Arthur Joly, 19 Matt Corker, 20 Adam Balding, 21 Alex Davies, 22 Gordon Ross, 23 Nick Scott.