Academy graduates Ollie Davies and Jos Gilmore will make their first Investec Champions Cup starts against Toulouse in the Ernest Wallon Stadium on Saturday as Alex Sanderson makes nine changes to his side following the home win over the Hollywoodbets Sharks.
Marius Louw will captain the side for the first time against the Top14 side while Reuben Logan and Patrick Hogg feature on the bench in club rugby’s premier competition for the first time.
Alex has named an unchanged front-row to face Toulouse as Nathan Jibulu starts again between loosehead Bevan Rodd and tighthead James Harper.
It’s all change in the second row as the towering combo of Tom Burrow and Hyron Andrews returns to the starting XV.
In the back row, Gilmore starts at blindside flanker with openside Tristan Woodman and number 8 Sam Dugdale making up an all-academy trio.
Scotland scrum-half Gus Warr starts again and he’ll have fly-half Tom Curtis alongside him. Skipper Louw and Rekeiti Ma’asi-White will make up a powerful centre combo.
After impressing on his Champions Cup debut against the Sharks, Obi Ene starts again on the right wing with Alex Wills on the left and Davies at full-back.
Ethan Caine is the replacement hooker and he’s joined on the bench by props Si McIntyre and Patreece Bell. Lock Hogg and back rower Logan are the other forwards in reserve.
Dom Hanson, Joe Bedlow and Regan Grace are the backs on the bench.
Starting XV:
15. Ollie Davies, 14. Obi Ene, 13. Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, 12. Marius Louw ©, 11. Alex Wills, 10. Tom Curtis, 9. Gus Warr; 1. Bevan Rodd, 2. Nathan Jibulu, 3. James Harper, 4. Tom Burrow, 5. Hyron Andrews, 6. Jos Gilmore, 7. Tristan Woodman, 8. Sam Dugdale.
Replacements:
16. Ethan Caine, 17. Si McIntyre, 18. Patreece Bell, 19. Patrick Hogg, 20. Reuben Logan, 21. Dom Hanson, 22. Joe Bedlow, 23. Regan Grace.
