Gloucester v Harlequins: Teams

Lesley Vainikolo: Returns on the wing for Gloucester

Gloucester have made two changes to their starting line-up for Saturday's Heineken Cup clash with Harlequins at Kingsholm.

Coach Bryan Redpath has brought in one new face in the pack and one in his backline as Gloucester attempt to become the first team to beat Harlequins this season.

Lesley Vainikolo is named on the left wing and makes his first start since the LV= Cup defeat away at Leicester almost a month ago, while Scott Lawson comes in at hooker for only his second start since his return from World Cup duty with Scotland.

With those exceptions, it's the same squad that put in a hugely encouraging if ultimately fruitless performance in Toulouse last weekend, only losing to a late Clement Poitrenaud try which dashed hopes of a memorable away win.

Redpath knows that his team will have to be at their sharpest at the weekend, but remains confident they are heading in the right direction.

"We've been great physically and mentally over the past three weeks and have got to carry that over into this weekend," he said.

"It'll be a great challenge for us on Saturday but one we should be looking forward to.

Meanwhile, Harlequins have made three changes to the side that beat Connacht at the Stoop last week.

The rotation continues at hooker, with Joe Gray returning to start alongside Joe Marler and James Johnston, with Chris Brooker moving to the bench.

Argentinian Tomas Vallejos makes his first league start of the year since returning from the Rugby World Cup, replacing the injured Olly Kohn in the second row, while the back three remain unchanged.

There is only one change in the three-quarters, as Matt Hopper makes his first competitive start for the club, replacing George Lowe who injured his ankle against Connacht.

The bench sees the return of Tim Fairbrother from injury and Charlie Matthews, while Danny Care continues his comeback, taking his place on the bench, alongside Rory Clegg and Tom Casson.

Gloucester: 15 Jonny May, 14 Charlie Sharples, 13 Henry Trinder, 12 Mike Tindall, 11 Lesley Vainikolo, 10 Freddie Burns, 9 Rory Lawson,8 Alasdair Strokosch. 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Peter Buxton (c), 5 Jim Hamilton, 4 Will James, 3 Rupert Harden, 2 Scott Lawson, 1 Nick Wood.
Replacements: 16 Darren Dawidiuk, 17 Dan Murphy, 18 Dario Chistolini, 19 Tom Savage, 20 Luke Narraway, 21 Dave Lewis, 22 Tim Taylor, 23 Tom Voyce.

Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Seb Stegmann, 13 Matt Hopper, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 11 Sam Smith, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Karl Dickson,8 Nick Easter. 7 Chris Robshaw, 6 Maurie Faasavalu, 5 George Robson, 4 Tomas Vallejos, 3 James Johnston, 2 Joe Gray, 1 Joe Marler.
Replacements: 16 Chris Brooker, 17 Nic Mayhew, 18 Tim Fairbrother, 19 Charlie Matthews, 20 Luke Wallace, 21 Danny Care, 22 Rory Clegg, 23 Tom Casson.