ENGLAND international Matt Kvesic will make his full debut for Gloucester Rugby as they kick-off their Aviva Premiership campaign at home to Sale Sharks at Kingsholm on Saturday,3pm.

Kvesic will feature in a back-row alongside England team-mate Ben Morgan and Tongan international Sione Kalamafoni in a side captained by Tom Savage.

The rest of the starting line-up has a familiar look to it, with Gloucester again fielding an all English qualified backline.

Tight-head prop Rupert Harden returns after missing the end of last season through injury, as does winger James Simpson-Daniel.

Amongst the replacements, summer signings Dan George and Tavis Knoyle could both feature for Gloucester Rugby in the Aviva Premiership for the first time, while England U20 international Elliott Stooke provides the second row cover.

Director of Rugby Nigel Davies admitted this week that he's glad to get the season underway and that he's expecting a tough encounter against Sale.

He said: "The preparations have been good and we've built our intensity throughout our preseason campaign and in our training.

"The boys will be expecting a really tough battle on Saturday, Sale won't want a repeat of last season and they'll be doing their upmost to get off to a good start.

"We'll have to be on our game to get a result. It's about winning and developing that mentality.

"People expect you to win when you play at home. We're looking at the processes of winning and, if we get those right, then we'll do well.

"Right now, it's about getting started and I can't wait."

Gloucester: Rob Cook; Charlie Sharples, Henry Trinder, Billy Twelvetrees, James Simpson-Daniel; Freddie Burns, Dan Robson; Nick Wood, Darren Dawidiuk, Rupert Harden; Tom Savage (capt), Lua Lokotui; Sione Kalamafoni, Matt Kvesic, Ben Morgan.

Replacements: Dan George, Dan Murphy, Yann Thomas, Elliott Stooke, Akapusi Qera, Tavis Knoyle, Mike Tindall, Martyn Thomas.