Gloucester v Leeds: Teams
Brett Deacon will make his first senior start for Gloucester against Leeds Carnegie at Kingsholm on Saturday.
Last Updated: 10/09/10 1:12pm
Summer signing Brett Deacon will make his first start for a wounded Gloucester side against Leeds Carnegie at Kingsholm on Saturday.
Deacon's appearance is one of five changes made as the hosts look to bounce back from last weekend's opening day defeat at Exeter Chiefs.
Further changes see Charlie Sharples come in for Olly Morgan at full-back and Rory Lawson return at scrum-half.
Alasdair Dickinson is named at loosehead with Nick Wood moving to the replacements bench and Andy Hazell gets the nod at open side.
"Monday was tough because we reviewed the unedited video and went through the errors and mistakes. It needed to be looked at and it was pretty honest. Everyone has had their say," said boss Bryan Redpath.
"There was some frustration but we have to move onwards and upwards. Training has been good this week, quite lively and we need to see a reaction this weekend and kick off the season properly.
Dangerous
"I'm interested in our performance. If we get that right then we can beat anybody. We have to challenging in attack and aggressive in defence. Our core basics need to be better. We need to impose our game on them.
"But talk is cheap and it will be tough. They're an error free side who play very good set piece and are good in the contact area. We'll have to be smart.
"It's a tough league and you can't disrespect anyone. Leeds will be no pushover, they're a dangerous outfit. But we need to get our performance right and the result will take care of itself."
Meanwhile, Leeds Carnegie make five changes to the side that lost to Bath on the opening day of the season.
Two of the changes come in the backs with Scott Barrow replacing the injured Lachlan MacKay at inside centre whilst Christian Lewis-Pratt comes in for his Aviva Premiership debut having signed from Saints during the summer.
The other three switches come in the pack with USA prop Mike MacDonald replacing Miguel Alonso, who moves to the bench, and Phil Swainston replacing the injured Juan Gomez. Finally, Alfie To'oala starts at blindside flanker with Kearnan Myall amongst the replacements.
Young outside back James Tincknell, who only returned to playing rugby two seasons ago with Old Otliensians, could make his Leeds and Aviva Premiership Rugby debut off the bench.
Gloucester: 15 Charlie Sharples, 14 James Simpson-Daniel, 13 Mike Tindall (capt), 12 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, 11 Lesley Vainikolo, 10 Nicky Robinson, 9 Rory Lawson, 8 Luke Narraway, 7 Andy Hazell, 6 Brett Deacon, 5 Alex Brown, 4 Dave Attwood, 3 Pierre Capdevielle, 2 Scott Lawson, 1 Alasdair Dickinson.
Replacements: 16 Olivier Azam, 17 Nick Wood, 18 Rupert Harden, 19 Will James, 20 Peter Buxton, 21 Dave Lewis, 22 Tim Taylor, 23 Tim Molenaar.
Leeds Carnegie: 15 Michael Stephenson, 14 Lee Blackett, 13 Luther Burrell, 12 Scott Barrow, 11 Semi Tadulala, 10 Christian Lewis Pratt, 9 Scott Mathie, 8 Daniel Browne, 7 Hendre Fourie, 6 Alfie Tooala, 5 Marco Wentzel (capt), 4 Tom Denton, 3 Phil Swainston, 2 Andrew Titterrell, 1 Mike MacDonald.
Replacements: 16 Steve Thompson, 17 Gareth Hardy, 18 Miguel Alonso, 19 Kearnan Myall, 20 Rhys Oakley, 21 Warren Fury, 22 James Tincknell, 23 Leigh Hinton.