Wallabies international Len Ikitau returns to the starting line-up for Chiefs as they take on Gloucester Rugby at Kingsholm Stadium in round 14 of the Gallagher PREM on Sunday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Also returning from injury, props Will Goodrick-Clarke and Josh Iosefa-Scott both start in the front row in a side captained by double centurion, Henry Slade.<\/p>\n
Chiefs\u2019 director of rugby Rob Baxter said: \u201cI\u2019m expecting Gloucester to be very good, very motivated. We\u2019re very aware we\u2019ve got to turn up fully ready for a tough game of PREM rugby. You don\u2019t have to be much off your game to lose, so we\u2019ve got to make sure we\u2019re fully strapped in and prepared for an important game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joseph Dweba slots into the starting XV this week following an injury to hooker Jack Yeandle in last weekend\u2019s defeat to Northampton Saints. With Dafydd Jenkins and Andrea Zambonin both receiving rest weeks, Rusi Tuima and Lewis Pearson slot into the two second row berths. <\/p>\n
Having made his return to action last week with six tackles and four carries off the bench against Saints, Ethan Roots starts on the blindside flank with Ross Vintcent on the openside and Greg Fisilau at No 8.<\/p>\n
Scrum-half Stephen Varney comes up against his former side as he and Harvey Skinner retain their starting spots. Ikitau then slots seamlessly back into what was a blossoming centre partnership with Slade. The Australian hasn\u2019t played since suffering a shoulder injury against Saracens in December.<\/p>\n
With Olly Woodburn ruled out short term with a hamstring injury, Campbell Ridl drops back into the full-back slot with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Paul Brown-Bampoe starting on the wings.<\/p>\n
Baxter added: \u201cWe should be ready to go out there this week fresh and ready to fight. I\u2019m fully expecting a Gloucester team that comes out roaring at Kingsholm. They\u2019ve started well in all their recent games, been very competitive in big chunks of the game against good sides. We\u2019ve got to be sure we\u2019re prepared to work very hard for 80 minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hooker Max Norey could make his first PREM appearance of the season as he is named on the bench with fellow front-rowers Ethan Burger and Jimmy Roots. Welsh international Christ Tshiunza returns to the matchday side as Chiefs go for a 6-2 bench split, with back-rowers Tom Hooper and Finn Worley Brady also selected. Thus, meaning Tom Cairns and Ben Hammersley cover the entirety of the Chiefs backline.<\/p>\n