In the pack, captain Andre Vos returns to the back row having missed the last three games due to an ankle injury. He replaces Luke Sherriff, who is amongst the replacements. Jim Evans makes his first start of the season having recovered from a dislocated shoulder he suffered in pre-season training and will partner Simon Maling in the second row.

Mike Worsley starts at loose head prop, with Ceri Jones moving over to the tight head and Jon Dawson drops to the bench.

In the back division, Dafydd James misses out due to a dead leg so Gavin Duffy takes his place in the centre alongside Mel Deane, with Tom Williams coming in at full back.

"As encouraging as our performance was last Saturday at Leicester Tigers, as indeed was the display against Munster at Twickenham three weeks ago, winning is a habit we need to rediscover if we are to get ourselves out of the trouble we are in," said Mark Evans, NEC Harlequins Chief Executive.

"With five of our remaining eight games being at the Stoop, it is important we make home advantage count when it comes our way and if we do so, then we have an excellent chance of getting ourselves away from the foot of table."

"However, Gloucester will want the league points on offer tomorrow as much as we do, given that they still have a good chance of claiming a top three finish. Their combative pack of forwards will be led by the likes of Jake Boer and Alex Brown, whilst behind the scrum Henry Paul, Andy Gomarsall and James Simpson-Daniel will all be out to enhance their claims for a return to the England squad."

The full team is as follows:

15. Tom Williams
14. Simon Keogh
13. Gavin Duffy
12. Mel Deane
11. Ugo Monye
10. Jeremy Staunton
9. Steve So'oialo
1. Mike Worsley
2. Ace Tiatia
3. Ceri Jones
4. Jim Evans
5. Simon Maling
6. Nick Easter
7. Andre Vos (Capt.)
8. Tony Diprose

Replacements:
16. James Hayter
17. Jon Dawson
18. Simon Miall
19. Roy Winters
20. Luke Sherriff
21. Henry Barratt
22. Andy Reay