AFTER two weeks in European action, Gloucester Rugby return to Aviva Premiership action this weekend with the visit of Leicester Tigers to Kingsholm on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

The starting line-up to take on the Tigers features only seven of the side that took the field last weekend in Parma against Zebre.

Returning to the starting line-up are Charlie Sharples, Billy Twelvetrees and James Hook in the backs, with Twelvetrees captaining the side against his former club.

Meanwhile, returning to the pack are Paddy McAllister, Richard Hibbard, Tom Savage, Jeremy Thrush and Sione Kalamafoni.

After two wins in the European Rugby Challenge Cup, securing a home quarter-final, David Humphreys told the local media this week that Gloucester are coming into Saturday's game in good physical shape having rotated the squad. However, he and the squad are prepared for a tough encounter against the Tigers.

"It's going to be a huge test for us. The last couple of weeks have almost been preparation for this, we've given some players some rest and some others some game time.

"So, we're in good shape going into what is going to be an incredibly tough run of games over the course of the next ten weeks, although we haven't been able to look much behind Leicester this weekend.

"They're a team who have been going well, they were obviously successful last year, finishing top four, and have added new attacking threat to their game with some new coaches and players.

"We've played fifteen games this season, we've only lost four times. So, we're in a good place statistically. What we've got to do is bring a consistency to our performance.

"It's going to be a challenge but, with the work that's been done and not being affected too much by Six Nations, we're in good shape going into that run of games.”

Gloucester Rugby: Steve McColl; Charlie Sharples, Billy Meakes, Billy Twelvetrees (capt), David Halaifonua; James Hook, Willi Heinz; Paddy McAllister, Richard Hibbard, Paul Doran-Jones; Tom Savage, Jeremy Thrush; Sione Kalamafoni, Jacob Rowan, Ben Morgan

Replacements: Darren Dawidiuk, Nick Wood, Nicky Thomas, Mariano Galarza, Matt Kvesic, Greig Laidlaw, Billy Burns, Mark Atkinson