Freddie Clarke will captain Gloucester for the first time when Ospreys are the visitors to Kingsholm on Friday evening, in round three of the Anglo-Welsh Cup (kick-off 7:45pm).

Gloucester are currently in third place in pool 1 of the Anglo-Welsh Cup, two points behind leaders Bath Rugby, and have named a strong side as they need a win to keep alive their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages.

Having signed a new contract earlier this week, Clarke leads a side which features four full internationals, and another among the replacements in Matt Scott, and significant first team experience in every position.

Head of academy Richard Whiffin admitted that qualifying for the semi-finals will be tough, but that Gloucester have real motivation for giving it their best shot.

“It’s not 100 per cent in our hands, we’re relying on other results,” he said. “But if we go out in the next two weeks and get a couple of good wins, it will certainly put us in a good frame of mind for the back end of the year.

“If we do manage to qualify for the knockout stages then happy days, it’d be fantastic, especially with the final being at Kingsholm. It’d be a massive thing for the squad to play a final at their own ground.”

And Whiffin acknowledged that the Ospreys are something of an unknown quantity this week, having parted company with head coach Steve Tandy.

“You always think of that football situation when you get a bounceback with a new manager or a change of coach,” Whiffin said. “We’re unsure of what team they’re going to select, we’re focusing on us but I’m sure, whatever Ospreys team come, it’ll be a tough game on Friday.

“But it’s about us, getting our game back to where we want it to be and enjoying what we’re doing. So, I expect to see smiles on faces on Friday.”

Gloucester: 15. David Halaifonua; 14. Henry Purdy, 13. Henry Trinder, 12. Mark Atkinson, 11. Ollie Thorley; 10. Billy Burns, 9. Callum Braley; 1. Cameron Orr, 2. Richard Hibbard, 3. Fraser Balmain; 4. Ed Slater, 5. Mariano Galarza; 6. Freddie Clarke (capt), 7. Will Safe, 8. Ben Morgan. Replacements: 16. Henry Walker, 17. Paddy McAllister, 18. Gareth Denman, 19. Callum Allen, 20. Gareth Evans, 21. Ben Vellacott, 22. Matt Scott, 23. Tom Hudson. Unavailable for selection: Willi Heinz, Ross Moriarty, Val Rapava Ruskin, Jacob Rowan, Charlie Sharples