Gloucester make four changes to their starting line-up for the short trip up the M5 to play Worcester Warriors in the Gallagher Premiership on Sunday.

Three of the changes are in the pack. Ex-warriors player Val Rapava Ruskin and Gareth Denman will start at loosehead and tighthead respectively, while Jake Polledri comes in for Jaco Kriel at openside.

Charlie Sharples returns to replace Tom Seabrook on the right wing in the only change to the back line.

Meanwhile, the most significant change in the replacements sees Jason Woodward named in the matchday squad having recovered from a calf injury suffered in the Wasps game just over a month ago.

The Cherry and Whites go into the game in third place in the table and know that results elsewhere could guarantee a play-off spot before they even kick off on Sunday.

However, regardless of what happens in other games, Gloucester can take control of their own destiny with victory at Sixways.

The Warriors still find themselves looking nervously over their shoulders at Newcastle at the foot of the table, but Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann feels that their league position doesn’t reflect their quality.

“They’re very physical, tremendously good without the ball and strong in defence, you have to work very hard to get any points against them,” Ackermann said. “And they’ve got X factor players all over – guys like Francois Hougaard and Francois Venter can cut you to pieces.

“Their set piece is good and they challenge you at the breakdown. So, if we’re anything less than at our best, then we’ll have an outcome like last year.

“They’ve been in every game, they’ve pushed sides all the way. It’s only one or two small errors which have cost them games. I think they’re a well-coached and well-drilled side who can compete against any team in Europe as they showed against Sale last time out.”

Gloucester: 15. Matt Banahan; 14. Charlie Sharples, 13. Billy Twelvetrees, 12. Mark Atkinson, 11. Henry Purdy; 10. Danny Cipriani, 9. Willi Heinz (capt); 1. Val Rapava Ruskin, 2. Franco Marais, 3. Gareth Denman; 4. Ed Slater, 5. Franco Mostert; 6. Ruan Ackermann, 7. Jake Polledri, 8. Ben Morgan. Replacements: 16. Mike Sherry, 17. Josh Hohneck, 18. Fraser Balmain, 19. Tom Savage, 20. Lewis Ludlow, 21. Callum Braley, 22. Lloyd Evans, Jason Woodward. Unavailable for selection: Ruan Dreyer, Gerbrandt Grobler, James Hanson, Tom Hudson, Tom Marshall, Tom Seabrook, Ollie Thorley, Henry Trinder, Owen Williams