Gloucester will be looking to build on an encouraging season last time out which saw them win the LV= Cup.
European goals for Gloucester
While Exeter may have been the surprise package of the season, the form of Gloucester raised more than a few eyebrows.
Bryan Redpath's men overcame a stuttering start to the season - including losses to the Chiefs and London Irish and narrow wins over Leeds and Wasps - to charge through the league and win the LV= Cup.
A third-placed finish was a just reward for their efforts, with Gloucester coming agonisingly close to knocking out eventual champions Saracens in the play-offs.
However Gloucester's strength in depth will be tested over the coming - particularly in the forwards.
Front-rowers Alasdair Dickinson (Sale Sharks), Olivier Azam (Toulon), Paul Doran-Jones (Northampton) and Pierre Capdevielle have all moved on to pastures new - while lock Dave Attwood has opted to move to rivals Bath.
With the World Cup depriving Redpath of the likes of Jim Hamilton, Akapusi Qera and Scott Lawson - as well as Rory Lawson, Mike Tindall and Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu - Gloucester do look a little light in the pack.
Dave Markham will bolster the second row options, while Matias Cortese, Dan Murphy and Dario Chistolini will fill some of the voids in the front row - with Nathan Charles offering covering in a short-term deal.
Redpath, though, will have to rely on the talent in his rising stars and academy to plug the gaps in the interim.
Gloucester will also be without Nicky Robinson, who has opted to move to Wasps, with the kicking duties falling to the talented Freddie Burns.
Skysports.com prediction: The Premiership has never looked stronger but limited recruitment means Gloucester will be relying on the same players that took them to third last year to fire them this time around. The Cherry and Whites just look to lack the strengthen-in-depth, particularly up front, and could struggle to match last season's exploits.
6th.
Head coach: Bryan Redpath.
Captain: Luke Narraway.
Sky Bet odds: 9/1.
Last season: 3rd
In: Dan Murphy (London Irish), Matias Cortese (Pampas XV), Nathan Charles (Western Force), Dario Chistolini (Petarca Rugby), Dave Markham (Leicester Tigers), Tom Savage (Hartpury), Nick Runciman (London Welsh)
Out: Alasdair Dickinson (Sale Sharks), Olivier Azam (Toulon), Paul Doran-Jones (Northampton Saints), Pierre Capdevielle (released), Dave Attwood (Bath), Jordi Pasqualin (Newcastle Falcons), Nicky Robinson (London Wasps), Dan Williams (Colomiers)
Key man - Nick Wood: Given the changes and lack of experience in the Gloucester front row, the England Saxons prop has a role to play. Wood may still be a mere whipper-snapper in propping terms at 28, however he has gone on to make 177 appearances for the club. Gloucester will look to Wood to be the cornerstone of the pack, particularly during the opening weeks of the campaign.
