L.Welsh v Gloucester Anglo Welsh LV= Cup preview

London Welsh have made nine changes to their team to play Premiership rivals Gloucester in the Anglo Welsh LV= Cup at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford.

Last week London Welsh lost 47-7 to Bath while Gloucester lost 28-27 to Exeter Chiefs so both teams are looking for their first win of the LV Cup season.

In the backs, Alan Awcock is named at full-back while Seb Stegmann comes back into the side on the right wing. Will Robinson makes his first start of the season at fly-half with Paul Rowley named at scrum-half.

In the forwards, Shane Cahill, Koree Britton and Jack Gilding make up a new look front-row while Dean Schofield comes into the second-row. Peter Browne replaces namesake Daniel at blindside flanker.

“It was very pleasing to see the way young Will Robinson came off the bench down in Bath and made an immediate impact, so he’s been rewarded with his first start of the season on Sunday,” said London Welsh head coach Justin Burnell.

“Young Jesse Liston is another for whom Sunday is a well-deserved opportunity. He impressed playing for Crawshay’s in the week – we had great feedback on him – so he’s also been rewarded with a place on the bench.

“It’s also good to have Alan Awcock back and contesting the number 15 jersey, after the injury he picked up in Lyon. He impressed in that game and Sunday is another good opportunity for him to show what he can do.

“We’re once again taking this weekend to look at different combinations within the squad. We’re back at home at the Kassam Stadium and getting a performance is the vital thing for us on Sunday.”

Meanwhile, with a number of players away on international duty and a short turnaround next week, Gloucester name a young side.

Aled Thomas will captain the side from fly-half and he is joined at half-back by Callum Braley, who will make his first start after a summer move from Bristol.

Gareth Evans continues his return to full fitness as he again lines up at number eight with Dan Thomas and Lewis Ludlow completing the back-row.

Academy hooker Luke Cole makes his full debut for the Cherry and Whites in the front row, with Yann Thomas and Shaun Knight continuing at prop.

Second-row Tom Hicks makes his first start of the season alongside Elliott Stooke, with flyer Steph Reynolds also in line to make his first appearance of the campaign.

The team is led this week by Nick Walshe, and he has plenty of youthful potential at his disposal amongst the replacements with Will Goodrick-Clarke, Jack Spencer, Will Safe and Harry Bassett all experiencing their first involvement in the first team squad.

Match : London Welsh vs Gloucester
Date : Sunday 9 November
Venue : Kassam Stadium
Kick Off : 14:30 GMT
Live on: N/A
Match Officials
Referee: Rhys Thomas (Wales)
Assistant referees: Nigel Carrick (England), Gareth Copsey (England)
Timekeeper: David Hudson (England)
Assessor: Nigel Yates (England)

Teams

London Welsh

15 Alan Awcock, 14 Seb Stegmann, 13 Nic Reynolds, 12 Tom May (c), 11 Nick Scott, 10 Will Robinson, 9 Paul Rowley, 8 Ben Pienaar, 7 Nathan Vella, 6 Peter Browne, 5 James Down, 4 Dean Schofield, 3 Jack Gilding, 2 Koree Britton, 1 Shane Cahill.

Replacements: 16 Nathan Morris, 17 Taione Vea, 18 Ben Cooper, 19 Matt Corker, 20 Jesse Liston, 21 Rob Lewis, 22 Gordon Ross, 23 Rhys Crane.

Gloucester

15 Steve McColl, 14 Shane Monahan, 13 Tom Isaacs, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 S