There are first starts for James Hanson and Ben Vellacott and first European starts for Gareth Denman and Charlie Beckett, as Gloucester make a host of changes for Thursday night’s visit of SU Agen in the European Rugby Challenge Cup (kick off 7:45pm).

Only six players retain their places from the team that started in Pau last Thursday – Josh Hohneck, Tom Savage, Jake Polledri, David Halaifonua, Owen Williams and Henry Purdy.

Tom Savage will continue to lead the side which features Ben Morgan for the first time since the opening game against Exeter Chiefs, the number eight having recovered from a calf injury.

Having picked up a losing bonus point in Pau, Gloucester need a win to keep their hopes of making the knockout stages alive, but can’t take anything for granted according to head coach Johan Ackermann.

“Ahead of Pau last week, there was a lot of talk about us just going over there and pitch up and win,” Ackermann said. “And it didn’t happen, it showed every team will give this competition a go.

“The same applies to Agen. We’re not sure which Agen side will turn up, everyone knows that French sides can be up and down. The most important thing for us as a coaching staff and group of players is to look at the first 50 minutes in Pau which wasn’t good enough, we have to improve.

“We have to prepare for the unpredictable but the biggest focus has been on ourselves. Their win last week will give them confidence, it’s an away game for them and they have nothing to lose. The last thing we should do is underestimate them.

“Securing the win is probably the first thing. We can’t start by thinking about scoring tries to get the five points. We have to stick to the principles of our game and build pressure through possession, keeping hold of the ball with good support.”

Gloucester: 15. Jason Woodward; 14. Henry Purdy, 13. Henry Trinder, 12. Owen Williams, 11. David Halaifonua; 10. Billy Burns, 9. Ben Vellacott; 1. Josh Hohneck, 2. James Hanson, 3. Gareth Denman; 4. Tom Savage (capt), 5. Charlie Beckett; 6. Jake Polledri, 7. Lewis Ludlow, 8. Ben Morgan. Replacements: 16. Richard Hibbard, 17. Cameron Orr, 18. John Afoa, 19. Freddie Clarke, 20. Jacob Rowan, 21. Willi Heinz, 22. Billy Twelvetrees, 23. Callum Braley. Unavailable for selection: Mark Atkinson, Fraser Balmain, Tom Denton, Gareth Evans, Lloyd Evans, Mariano Galarza, Tom Marshall, Ross Moriarty, Matt Scott, Charlie Sharples, Ed Slater, Andy Symons, Ollie Thorley, Jeremy Thrush.