Doran-Jones starts at Saracens
New signing, prop Paul Doran-Jones, will make his full Premiership debut for Gloucester Rugby when they take on a Steve Borthwick led Saracens side at Vicarage Road on Sunday afternoon.
Doran-Jones comes in for Greg Somerville at tight head with the New Zealand international ruled out after a training ground incident which has also sidelined Marco Bortolami.
Adam Eustace, who has played at No.8 in the A League this season, replaces the suspended Gareth Delve with Luke Narraway ruled out for several weeks following back surgery.
Other changes see James Simpson-Daniel return on the wing having recovered from the illness that ruled him out last weekend and Rory Lawson resume his half back partnership with Nicky Robinson.
In the pack, Olivier Azam makes his first start of the season at hooker whilst Peter Buxton forms a new look second row duo with Alex Brown and Alasdair Strokosch returns on the flank.
Having lost their two previous Guinness Premiership outings, Gloucester will be looking to bounce back this weekend but face a tough task as they take on unbeaten Saracens.
Head Coach Bryan Redpath admitted that there had been some tough talking done after the home defeat to Northampton last Saturday.
“Last weekend was disappointing in that our enthusiasm and energy levels weren’t where they should be. Northampton came with a simple gameplan. They didn’t have to beat us, we beat ourselves.
“But this weekend is based on a reaction to what happened last weekend. We’ve done our analysis and we highlighted individuals and highlighted the team work ethic in front of everyone to make sure no-one can hide.”
Saracens, by contrast, will be looking to maintain their 100 per cent start to the season this weekend.
After ‘home’ matches at Twickenham and Wembley, Sarries return to their real home hoping to continue their rich vein of form.
In team news, captain Steve Borthwick has been passed fit in the second row and he is joined by Mouritz Botha at lock. Wikus van Heerden returns to the back row and Fabio Ongaro gets his first start of the season at hooker. Glen Jackson returns to the fly half spot while on the bench, prop Matias Aguero returns from injury to get his first run out of the season.
Venter said: “We’ve had a good start to the season but while we have enjoyed the wins, we’re not patting ourselves on the back and there are still plenty of games to go this season. We’ve shown we’ve got strength within the squad and we’ve been able to bring in some fresh faces this weekend which shows the depth we have.
“Gloucester will no doubt come to us with a point to prove and I’m sure they will be looking to get back on track especially with the talented players they have in their squad. Our fans have given us so much support in such numbers so far this season and we’re all looking forward to performing for them at Vicarage Road – a ground that much be our fortress.”
Saracens have won only one of their last nine clashes with Gloucester: 24-22 at Vicarage Road on 18 February 2007.
Saracens have made the perfect start to the Guinness Premiership season with three wins out of three, and only find themselves in second spot to London Wasps because of an inferior points difference. Sarries play their third home game of the season, but their first at Vicarage Road following trips to Twickenham and Wembley.
Gloucester Rugby’s only win in their last seven encounters in the Guinness Premiership was 24-5 at home to Bath on 6 September. Gloucester have not won away from home in any competition in 2009.
The teams
Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Noah Cato, 13 Kameli Ratuvou, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Chris Wyles, 10 Glen Jackson, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Andy Saull, 6 Wikus van Heerden, 5 Mouritz Botha, 4 Steve Borthwick (captain), 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Fabio Ongaro, 1 Rhys Gill
Replacement: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Matias Aguero, 18 Richard Skuse, 19 Hugh Vyvyan, 20 Michael Owen, 21 Justin Marshall, 22 Derick Hougaard, 23 Richard Haughton
Gloucester Rugby: 15 Tom Voyce, 14 James Simpson-Daniel, 13 Mike Tindall (captain), 12 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, 11 Lesley Vainikolo, 10 Nicky Robinson, 9 Rory Lawson, 8 Adam Eustace, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Alex Brown, 4 Peter Buxton, 3 Paul Doran-Jones, 2 Olivier Azam, 1 Alasdair Dickinson
Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Shaun Knight, 18 Pierre Capdevielle, 19 Apo Satala, 20 Andrew Hazell, 21 Dave Lewis, 22 Freddie Burns, 23 Charlie Sharples
Date: Sunday, 27 September
Venue: Vicarage Road
Time: 15.00 (14.00 GMT)
Referee: TBC
