Ryan set to start with his stars

Head coach Dean Ryan says his team for Gloucester's Premiership opener against Leicester will be close to the one that beat Glasgow last weekend.

Gloucester fielded 12 internationals and finished the game with only routine bumps and bruises.

"We've got through most of pre-season unscathed and the aim is to have all your best players available," Ryan told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

"The 22 for this Sunday will come from a very similar group."

The game is a repeat of Gloucester's final game of last season, when they lost a dramatic play-off semi final at Kingsholm to an Andy Goode dropped goal.

This season all the teams have new experimental laws - known as ELV's - to contend with and Ryan expects an untidy opening to the campaign.

"The ruck area will be particularly difficult. There will be choices over how many you have, and how many players you commit to them before you try and make opportunities.

"I think it will be a messy start. We could see a lot of kicking and a lot of penalties. We need to be smart enough to keep winning."

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