Tom Savage will skipper Gloucester in the final round of the Gallagher Premiership when they head north to take on Sale Sharks on Saturday.

The long-serving second row, who is leaving the club at the end of the season to play for Suntory Sungoliath in Japan, is part of a much-changed side from the one that played against Newcastle at Kingsholm a couple of weeks ago.

Ollie Thorley, who starts on the left wing, and Tom Marshall who is named among the replacements, are back while Matt Banahan will reach a significant milestone as he will make his 200th Premiership appearance.

The sterling work done by the Gloucester Rugby Academy is also reflected, with a number of current members and recent ‘graduates’ named in the matchday 23.

And, with a Gallagher Premiership semi-final on the horizon the following weekend, there is every incentive for the team on duty at Sale to put in a performance and stake a claim for selection in the knockout game at either Exeter or Saracens.

Head coach Johan Ackermann acknowledged that the game at the AJ Bell Stadium, where Sale have a strong home record, will be a challenge but one that his team will embrace.

“There is more pressure on Sale to get a result than us, but we want to finish the season well,” Ackermann said. “A positive result would help with the semi-final in mind, but we’re taking things week by week as we’ve done all season.

“Regardless of what happens on Saturday, we have to re-set on Monday and see who we’re playing in the semi-final. So, we’re not looking too far ahead, we’re just focusing on Sale.

“When you look at them, they’re a quality side with quality players all over the park. They can break the line in attack and, defensively, they’re a team with some good players over the ball who contest very well.

“When we last played them, we weren’t in a good place and had lost a few games on the bounce and had struggled a bit in Europe. They were one side that came here and beat us at home.

“That just shows you the challenge that lies ahead. They have a lot to play for, trying to get into the top six. They’re an all-round good team, they’re physical up front with good back row forwards and quality in the backs. It’s a challenge but an exciting challenge.”

Gloucester: 15. Charlie Sharples; 14. Tom Seabrook, 13. Henry Purdy, 12. Matt Banahan, 11. Ollie Thorley; 10. Lloyd Evans, 9. Callum Braley; 1. Kyle Traynor, 2. Henry Walker, 3. Gareth Denman; 4. Tom Savage (capt), 5. Gerbrandt Grobler; 6. Jake Polledri, 7. Lewis Ludlow, 8. Gareth Evans. Replacements: 16. Todd Gleave, 17. Alex Seville, 18. Paddy McAllister, 19. Alex Craig, 20. Aaron Hinkley, 21. Ben Vellacott, 22. Dom Coetzer, 23. Tom Marshall.Unavailable for selection: Freddie Clarke, James Hanson, Tom Hudson, Ciaran Knight, Ed Slater, Henry Trinder, Owen Williams