Gloucester will be relishing the chance to pit themselves against the very best as they commence their Champions Cup campaign with the visit of back-to-back defending champions Bordeaux-Bègles at Kingsholm on Friday night.
Finishing eighth in the Gallagher PREM last season, Gloucester have made an emphatic start to the campaign with a 45-24 victory over Exeter Chiefs and 48-0 thrashing of Harlequins.
George Skivington's side were beaten 38-31 by Leicester Tigers last Friday, but the bonus points accrued from their trip to Welford Road means they remain top of the Prem as they embark on their European adventure.
Bordeaux sit third in France's Top 14 heading into this contest, but the double European champions are favoured in the odds to achieve a three-peat this season.
Gloucester did beat Bordeaux twice in the 2022/23 pool stages and they will be hoping an intimidating Kingsholm atmosphere will stifle Les Girondins' litany of stars.
Gloucester chief Skivington has named a strong side for the visit of Bordeaux as Ciaran Knight comes into the side for Afo Fasogbon to feature in the front row alongside Dian Bleuler and skipper Dewi Lake.
Dan Robson replaces Caolan Englefield at scrum half.,while the addition of Max Llewellyn to the midfield means Will Joseph will slot to the wing and accompany Ben Loader and George Barton in the backfield.
A summer signing from Coventry, Eliot Salt is on the bench and could be in line to make his Gloucester debut, and his first appearance in the Champions Cup.
Gloucester team news
Starting XV: 15 George Barton, 14 Will Joseph, 13 Max Llewellyn, 12 Seb Atkinson (vc), 11 Ben Loader, 10 Charlie Atkinson, 9 Dan Robson, 1 Dian Bleuler, 2 Dewi Lake (c), 3 Ciaran Knight, 4 Jean Kleyn, 5 Arthur Clark, 6 Deain Gwynne, 7 Jac Morgan (vc), 8 Jack Clement.
Replacements: 16 Seb Blake, 17 Val Rapava Ruskin, 18 Eliot Salt, 19 Freddie Thomas, 20 Will Trenholm, 21 Lewis Ludlow, 22 Caolan Englefield, 23 Will Knight.
