GLOUCESTER have named two debutants for their clash against reigning Aviva Premiership champions Exeter Chiefs at Kingsholm on Friday evening The debutants are Fraser Balmain and Jason Woodward with three more potentially amongst the replacements in Gareth Denman, Ed Slater and Ruan Ackermann.

But the Cherry and Whites already have a mass of injuries including Tom Marshall, new fly-half signing Owen Williams and British and Irish Lion Ross Moriarty Head coach Johan Ackermann, previewing the game with the media this week, admitted that he's very much looking forward to his first Premiership game at Kingsholm.

"It's going to be a great experience for myself, I had a bit of a taste of it last Friday, but the real McCoy is this Friday when hopefully it's a sold out stadium and I can't wait to experience the atmosphere I've heard all about.”

And, talking about the prospect of taking on the defending champions.

"We've had a good look at them and they're obviously a quality team, I've the utmost respect for what they've achieved. They're a quality side, very close, work extremely hard and are a physical side.

"It's a great challenge but this is why we play the game, to test yourself constantly at the highest level. Playing against Exeter, as the defending champions in the first round, is a great start and we'll know where we are.

"But you can only control what you can control. We can control our own mindset and how we pitch up on Friday. We need to focus on ourselves and what we do although we will respect the opposition.”

Gloucester Rugby: 15. Jason Woodward; 14. Ollie Thorley, 13. Andy Symons, 12. Mark Atkinson, 11. Henry Purdy; 10. Billy Burns, 9. Willi Heinz (capt); 1. John Afoa, 2. Richard Hibbard, 3. Fraser Balmain; 4. Tom Savage, 5. Jeremy Thrush; 6. Lewis Ludlow, 7. Jacob Rowan, 8. Ben Morgan Replacements: 16. Motu Matu'u, 17. Josh Hohneck, 18. Gareth Denman, 19. Ed Slater, 20. Ruan Ackermann, 21. Ben Vellacott, 22. Billy Twelvetrees, 22. Matt Scott Unavailable for selection: Lloyd Evans, Mariano Galarza, Tom Marshall, Paddy McAllister, Ross Moriarty, Jake Polledri, Val Rapava Ruskin, Charlie Sharples, Owen Williams