Gloucester v Leicester: Teams

Mauger: Returns to lead out Tigers

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Leicester travel to Gloucester on Friday in a clash Tigers head coach Richard Cockerill has described as "a key part of the season".

The champions return to Guinness Premiership action after last week's win over Newport Gwent Dragons in the LV= Cup and Cockerill has made a trio of changes including the return of centre Aaron Mauger.

Mauger, who will lead the Tigers out in the absence of injured club captain Geordan Murphy, was rested for the success over the Dragons and the New Zealander will take his place at number 12.

Johne Murphy and Brett Deacon also return to the visitor's starting XV. Murphy has been away with the Ireland A squad while Deacon has been missing since sustaining a knock in the win against South Africa a fortnight ago but both start.

Ben Kay, Jordan Crane and George Chuter are included in the 23 after their return from England training and wing Lote Tuqiri makes his first appearance in the Guinness Premiership after impressing in the Dragons win.

The contest sees former Gloucester duo Anthony Allen and Mefin Davies return to face their former club and Cockerill is keen to continue the winning feeling at Kingsholm.

"We're into a key part of the season with Gloucester, Leeds and Wasps in the Guinness Premiership and then into the back-to-back Heineken Cup games." the Tigers boss said.

"Gloucester have good players across the board and we know we will have to execute our own game well and match them physically.

Changes

Gloucester are struggling in this season's campaign and head coach Bryan Redpath has significantly shuffled his pack in a bid to improve his upon his side's 10th place position.

Cherry and whites hooker Darren Dawiduik will make his first league start against the Tigers as one of nine changes to the starting line up from the team that lost to London Wasps last weekend.

Also returning are Greg Somerville, Will James and Jake Boer in the pack with James Simpson-Daniel, Tim Molenaar, Lesley Vainikolo, Nicky Robinson and Dave Lewis the fresh faces in the backline.

Dawiduik, who will be supported by the hugely experienced prop pairing of Somerville and Nick Wood, gets his chance in the starting XV as Scott Lawson is still away with the Scotland A set-up as part of three week November Test window.

Gloucester are also obliged to release Rory Lawson for the same reason whilst Alasdair Strokosch, Akapusi Qera, Apo Satala and Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu are all away on international duty.

However, Gloucester benefit from Paul Doran-Jones being released from the England squad and he takes his place amongst the replacements whilst new signing Nathan Thomas is also named on the bench.

Gloucester: 15 Olly Morgan, 14 James Simpson-Daniel, 13 Henry Trinder, 12 Tim Molenaar, 11 Lesley Vainikolo, 10 Nicky Robinson, 9 Dave Lewis, 1 Nick Wood, 2 Darren Dawiduik, 3 Greg Somerville, 4 Will James, 5 Dave Attwood, 6 Peter Buxton, 7 Jake Boer, 8 Gareth Delve (c).
Replacements: 16 Ben Phillips, 17 Paul Doran-Jones, 18 Pierre Capdevielle, 19 Adam Eustace, 20 Nathan Thomas, 21 Jordi Pasqualin, 22 Freddie Burns, 23 Tom Voyce.

Leicester: 15 Hamilton, 14 Lote Tuqiri, 13 Antony Allen, 12 Aaron Mauger (c), 11 Johne Murphy, 10 Jeremy Staunton, 9 Ben Youngs, 1 Boris Stankovich, 2 Mefin Davies, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Geoff Parling, 5 Ben Kay, 6 Brett Deacon, 7 Ben Pienaar, 8 Jordan Crane.
Replacements: 16 George Chuter, 17 Robbie Harris, 18 Jonny Harris, 19 Calum Green, 20 Dan Hemingway, 21 James Grindal, 22 Toby Flood, 23 Matt Smith