LOOSEHEAD prop Val Rapava Ruskin will face former club Worcester Warriors for the first time since joining Gloucester.

The Georgian-born front rower ended his three-year spell at Sixways this summer.

He will now make his full Gloucester debut as head coach Johan Ackermann continues with his rotation policy.

The only other change in the pack sees Freddie Clarke start at blindside flanker.

In the backs, Mark Atkinson is back after picking up an injury in the opening day victory over Exeter Chiefs, while Billy Burns returns having missed out at Leicester last weekend.

After two defeats on the road, Gloucester will be looking to get back to winning ways in front of their own supporters.

Ackermann said: "I'm a big believer that we must be able to play anywhere, anytime, to perform at the standards you set yourself.

"I don't want to use 'away from home' as an excuse, I don't like that.

"But, saying that, you have to be proud of your home field and make it as tough as possible for any visiting side. But it is great to be back, we were disappointed in our performances over the past two weeks and hopefully we'll give our supporters a much better performance.

Ackermann added: "I don't place too much value on the jersey that you're playing against. I respect the opposition, that value is high.

"But I don't think your motivation should change from team to team. We weren't good enough last weekend and we have to fix that.

"I don't like to look at form. Any time can beat any other on any given day. They'll come all guns firing and we have to be switched on and come out with our best attitude."

Gloucester 

15. Jason Woodward

14. Charlie Sharples 

13. Billy Twelvetrees

12. Mark Atkinson 

11. Ollie Thorley 

10. Billy Burns

 9. Willi Heinz (c)

 1. Val Rapava Ruskin 

2. Motu Matu'u 

3. John Afoa

4. Ed Slater

5. Jeremy Thrush 

6. Freddie Clarke 

7. Jacob Rowan

8. Ruan Ackermann

Replacements:

16. Richard Hibbard 

17. Josh Hohneck 

18. Gareth Denman 

19. Tom Savage 

20. Lewis Ludlow 

21. Ben Vellacott 

22. Henry Trinder 

23. David Halaifonua