Gloucester v Dragons: Teams

Gloucester head coach Bryan Redpath is expecting a derby-style encounter when his side entertain Newport Gwent Dragons.

The clash at Kingsholm kicks-off Gloucester's campaign for the Heineken Cup and head Redpath has admitted the team are not short of drive ahead of the tie.

"It's a Wales-England game and a derby kind of match as they are only an hour down the road," he said.

"If anyone needs motivating for this game then they shouldn't be playing rugby."

Regular centre pairing Mike Tindall and Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu will not appear after both sustained injuries during Gloucester's 26-10 victory over Leeds Carnegie.

Tim Molenaar will make his European debut as part of the new-look midfield partnership, with James Simpson-Daniel moving in off the wing.

England Under-20 international Charlie Sharples will wear the No.14 jersey while Scott Lawson comes in for the suspended Olivier Azam and Greg Somerville returns from injury at tight head.

In the back row, Akapusi Qera is lined up as openside flanker and Gareth Delve will return from a two week suspension to captain the squad from number eight.

Meanwhile, international lock Luke Charteris will replace Tom Willis as captain for the Dragons' visit to Kingsholm.

Willis remains absent with a calf injury he incurred in the first Magners League game of the season when Newport saw off Ulster 23-6.

Problems

The Dragons are contending with injury problems after Adam Jones and Gethin Robinson sustained thigh and shoulder injuries respectively in the Connacht game, while former Gloucester centre Matthew Watkins is absent with a groin strain.

Alex Walker is out with a knee injury and back row Grant Webb will not appear due to illness.

New signing Peter Bracken is set to make his debut, though, and Jason Tovey returns to fitness following a thigh strain.

Gloucester: 15 Tom Voyce, 14 Charlie Sharples, 13 James Simpson-Daniel, 12 Tim Molenaar, 11 Lesley Vainikolo, 10 Nicky Robinson, 9 Rory Lawson, 1 Alasdair Dickinson, 2 Scott Lawson, 3 Greg Somerville, 4 Dave Attwood, 5 Alex Brown, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 7 Akapusi Qera, 8 Gareth Delve (capt).
Replacements: 16 Darren Dawiduik, 17 Paul Doran-Jones, 18 Pierre Capdevielle, 19 Peter Buxton, 20 Andrew Hazell, 21 Dave Lewis, 22 Freddie Burns, 23 Jonny May.

Dragons: 15 Jason Tovey, 14 Aled Brew, 13 Tom Riley, 12 Ashley Smith, 11 Richard Fussell, 10 James Arlidge, 9 Wayne Evans, 1 Ali Mckenzie, 2 Steve Jones, 3 Nigel Hall, 4 Rob Sidoli, 5 Luke Charteris, 6 Dan Lydiate, 7 Gavin Thomas, 8 Joe Bearman.
Replacements: 16 Duane Goodfield, 17 Hugh Gustafson, 18 Peter Bracken, 19 Lewis Evans, 20 Hoani Macdonald, 21 Danny Lee, 22 Shaun Connor, 23 Martyn Thomas.