All Black Cowan gets first Gloucester start

Published on 18/10/2012 00:00

New Zealand international Jimmy Cowan will make his first start for Gloucester in tonight’s Amlin Challenge Cup clash against Bordeaux-Begles at Kingsholm. The former All Blacks scrum-half replaces Dave Lewis as one of eight changes following last week’s 11-6 victory over Mont-de-Marsan.

James Simpson-Daniel and Billy Twelvetrees return to the back division, with switches up-front including starts for hooker Huia Edmonds, lock Jim Hamilton and number eight Ben Morgan. Akapusi Qera, meanwhile, replaces former England flanker Andy Hazell, who was sent off against Mont-de-Marsan and faces a disciplinary hearing next week.

Bath, fresh from scoring 40 points in Bucharest last weekend, are on the road again tonight when they tackle Pool Four rivals Agen. South African Francois Louw returns to captain the west country club, making only his second appearance of the season due to international commitments.