Shedloads - Big Boys Back

Greig Laidlaw and James Hook will be on the same side on Sunday when they form a half back partnership which will hopefully help Gloucs bring back the points from London Irish (kick off 1.00)..

Billy Twelvetrees is to make a belated start for England in place of Owen Farrell, but we will benefit from the return of many of the internatikonal contingent.

Richard Hibbard and Sione Kalamafoni will both start with Aleki Lutui and Sila Puafisi on the bench.

Laidlaw will skipper the side which will include Charlie Sharples and Henry Purdy. They have been medically assessed after their kncoks at Falcons a week ago and have been passed fit. However, Dan Robson is having to take a longer rest.

Gloucester: Steve McColl; Charlie Sharples, Billy Meakes, Mark Atkinson, Henry Purdy; James Hook, Greig Laidlaw (captain); Yann Thomas, Richard Hibbard, John Afoa; Tom Savage, Tom Palmer; Sione Kalamafoni, Matt Kvesic, Gareth Evans.

Reps: Aleki Lutui, James Gibbons, Sila Puafisi, Elliott Stooke, Ross Moriarty, Callum Braley, Billy Burns, Shane Monahan

Irish also have a contingent returning including Geoff Cross, Kieran Low, Blair Cowan, Jebb Sinclair and Ofisa Treviranus who will all start the game.

Irish: Tom Homer; Alex Lewington; Fergus Mulchrone; Shane Geraghty; James Short; Chris Noakes; Scott Steele; Tom Court; David Paice; Geoff Cross; George Skivington (Captain); Kieran Low;. Jebb Sinclair; Blair Cowan;. Ofisa Treviranus

Reps: Tom Woolstencroft; Leo Halavatau; Halani Aulika; Dan Leo; Conor Gilsenan; Darren Allinson; Eoin Griffin; Topsy Ojo