Skivington calls for big guns to shoot down Tigers
GEORGE Skivington has reverted to his experienced XV for the clash with Tigers following Wednesday’s defeat to Saracens.
Gloucester beat Worcester in their first game after lockdown but have lost two on the spin now, having fallen to Bristol last weekend.
The head coach makes 15 changes, with Lewis Ludlow returning to captain the side from flanker.
International contingent Jack Singleton, Ollie Thorley, Danny Cipriani, Jonny May and Jake Polledri all come in.
Attack coach Alex King said: “We’re a little bit frustrated. We just want to get better; we started well against Worcester but it didn’t go so well against Bristol and Saracens.
“It’s now about improving those areas that were frustrating against Saracens.
“Every game we’ve played there are things we’ve learnt about ourselves and the guys can’t wait for this game. They are desperate to get back to Kingsholm and put in a good perfromance.”
King added: “Leicester have a new head coach in Steve Borthwick and will be desperate to put in a good performance themselves after their defeat to Bath.
“Every team has something to prove and work on, but we’ll just concentrate on ourselves and getting better than we were the last two weeks.”
Former Bath lock Matt Garvey makes his second start for the Cherry & Whites in the second row alongside Ed Slater.
After making his debut on Wednesday, Jordy Reid is on the bench.
Stephen Varney continues in the squad after scoring three tries in three games so far.
Leicester defeated London Irish in midweek to end a three-game losing run and head coach Steve Borthwick makes whoselsale changes to the side after their four-day turnaround.
Thom Smith, 23, captains the side in just his fifth senior outing, with England half-backs George Ford and Ben Youngs on the bench.
Ollie Chessum makes his debut at flanker, while Australian lock Blake Enever makes his second appearance after being restd in midweek.
Jack Van Poortvliet and Zack Henry are the halfbacks for the first time and Tom Hardwick and Guy Porter form a new midfield combination.
Tigers coach Borthwock said: “These players have earned this opportunity, now what they have to do is go out and put the best 80 on the pitch.
“What we have seen is development in our games and what we have seen consistently is how hard the players are working.
“It has been pleasing to see just how much it means to the players to represent the club. We want to take another step forward. It’s a different set of players with this opportunity and we want to continue to develop our game.”