London Irish v Gloucester - Amlin Challenge Cup match preview

Ben Morgan: Gloucester have made a few tweaks to their side

Jonathan Joseph: Returns for London Irish

London Irish welcome back Jonathan Joseph and David Paice from their England duties, as they prepare to face Gloucester in the Amlin Challenge Cup at the Madejski Stadium.

Joseph will take the 13 shirt, with Sailosi Tagicakibau moving from outside centre to inside centre.

Matt Garvey is named in the second row with Jamie Gibson coming into the back row and Halani Aulika starts at tighthead prop.

Meanwhile, Gloucester's Director of Rugby Nigel Davies has tweaked his starting line-up yet the strength in the squad is retained.

Following a run out on the wing at Saracens last weekend, Martyn Thomas returns to his usual full-back berth.

Shane Monahan takes over at left wing and Dan Robson replaces Jimmy Cowan at scrum half.

Nick Wood, Huia Edmonds and Shaun Knight make up a new look, yet experienced front row, with Tom Savage joining Jim Hamilton in the second row.

After appearing at number eight last weekend, Sione Kalamafoni moves back to the flank with Gareth Evans and Matt Cox and completing the back row.

London Irish:15. Tom Homer; 14. Topsy Ojo; 13. Jonathan Joseph; 12. Sailosi Tagicakibau; 11. Anthony Watson; 10. Ian Humphreys; 9. Darren Allinson; 8. Ofisa Treviranus; 7.Jamie Gibson; 6. Declan Danaher (Captain); 5. Matt Garvey; 4. Bryn Evans; 3. Halani Aulika; 2. David Paice; 1. Max Lahiff.

Replacements: 16. Scott Lawson; 17.Jerry Yanuyanutawa; 18.Leo Halavatau; 19. Kieran Low; 20. Chris Hala'ufia; 21. Guy Armitage; 22. Shane Geraghty; 23. Jack Moates.

Gloucester Rugby:

Martyn Thomas; Charlie Sharples, Tim Molenaar, Freddie Burns, Shane Monahan; Tim Taylor, Dan Robson; Nick Wood, Huia Edmonds, Shaun Knight; Tom Savage, Jim Hamilton (capt); Sione Kalamafoni, Matt Cox, Gareth Evans

Replacements: Darren Dawidiuk, Dan Murphy, Rupert Harden, Will James, Ben Morgan, Dave Lewis, Mike Tindall, Rob Cook.

What they said...

London Irish Director of Rugby Brian Smith:

"Both sides are well placed in the group and the next two week's will go a long way to seeing which side goes through to the knock out stages. Gloucester are enjoying a good run this season and will be a difficult opposition tomorrow, so we will need to be at our best to get the result."

Gloucester Director of Rugby Nigel Davies:

"It'll be interesting to see how they approach this game. Obviously they've got a lot to do in the league, and we still have big ambitions in the league ourselves.

"We're going to go pretty full on, as we do for every competition. We will change things up a little bit and give opportunities, but it's a strong team.

"They've done very well in their two games so far in this competition, and there's no doubt that the next two games will very much determine how the pool shapes up."

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