Gloucester v Newcastle: Teams

Jeremy Paul will make his debut for Gloucester when they host Newcastle in the first weekend of EDF Energy Cup action.

The Australian hooker is one of 13 internationals included by head coach Dean Ryan, including the return of captain Marco Bortolami.

After featuring in every match so far this season, Peter Buxton is not included in the starting XV or even on the bench. Alasdair Strokosch takes his place in the back row.

James Simpson-Daniel has recovered from a hamstring injury to take his place in the centres while rugby league convert Karl Pryce starts on the wing.

There is also a new-look half-back pairing with Chris Paterson playing alongside scrum-half Rory Lamont.

Great opporuntity

"We see this as a great opportunity to assess our options, continue the integration of a number of players who have not had a great deal of rugby with us this season and show some sort of kick-back from our defeat last weekend," said Ryan.

"I think you only have to look at this side to see how important this game is for us and our squad strength reflects that."

The bench shows the Cherry and Whites' strength-in-depth, with Gareth Cooper, Andy Titterrell and Jack Forster all selected, though there is no place for Gareth Delve as he is not yet ready to return from injury.

Toby Flood goes straight back into Newcastle's team for Saturday's tough trip to Kingsholm.

The England international makes a quick comeback to club action as the Falcons are forced to make changes due to injury and illness.

Jonny Wilkinson is not considered for selection after returning home from the World Cup in France with a slight knock.

After playing at 10 while Flood was summoned away by his country to replace injured club colleague Jamie Noon, Steve Jones shifts into inside centre to replace Joe Shaw.

Tom May also changes positions, moving from the wing to full-back to replace Matt Burke, who will miss the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.

There is a first start of the season for scrum-half Hall Charlton while Joe McDonnell returns to the front row and is named as captain.

Although Mathew Tait is not considered this week, younger brother Alex is amongst the replacements, as director of rugby John Fletcher sees his squad stretched to the limits.

Bad run

"We have had a bad run, which isn't an excuse but simply a fact when you are without your captain in Phil Dowson, then the likes of Ben Woods, Mark Mayerhofler, Jamie Noon, Andy Buist and a load of others," he said.

"Clearly that's not ideal because we don't have a huge squad in terms of experience, but what it does is give opportunities for some of our exciting young players like Tim Visser and Alex Tait to get a taste of first team rugby, so I look forward to seeing how they respond to that sort of environment.

However, the Falcons chief is still confident his young guns can pick up a positive result on their travels after an excellent week of training.

"I'll be honest, I fancy us to go down there and beat them, but admittedly I am a bit biased," Fletcher added.

"What is for certain is that we go down there massively fired up, determined to win a good share of the ball and I think we will have opportunities to score.

"Clearly we have to defend better than we did against Bath at the weekend, but after the week we've had in training I would back us against anyone."

Gloucester team: 15 Olly Morgan, 14 Iain Balshaw, 13 James Simpson-Daniel, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Mark Foster, 10 Chris Paterson, 9 Rory Lawson; 1 Alasdair Dickinson, 2 Jeremy Paul, 3 Christian Califano, 4 Marco Bortolami (capt), 5 Will James, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 7 Akapusi Qera, 8 Adam Balding

Replacements: Andy Titterrell, Jack Forster, Jonathan Pendlebury, Luke Narraway, Gareth Cooper, Willie Walker, Karl Pryce

Newcastle team: 15 Tom May, 14 Ollie Phillips, 13 Tim Visser, 12 Steve Jones, 11 John Rudd, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Hall Charlton; 1 Joe McDonnell (capt), 2 Matt Thompson, 3 David Wilson, 4 Andy Perry, 5 Mark Sorenson, 6 Geoff Parling, 7 Brent Wilson, 8 Russell Winter

Replacements: 16 Andy Long, 17 Micky Ward, 18 Jason Oakes, 19 Ed Williamson, 20 James Grindal, 21 Alex Tait, 22 Adam Dehaty