Cracknell, who is the joint-highest try scorer in this season’s EPCR Challenge Cup, starts at No.8 in a back row with captain Matt Rogerson and Juan Martin Gonzalez.

Props Will Goodrick-Clarke and Ollie Hoskins partner Matt Cornish in the front row, with Rob Simmons and Adam Coleman starting in the second row.

In the backs, wing Kyle Rowe comes into the back three with James Stokes and Ben Loader as Paddy Jackson and Nick Phipps continue their half-back partnership.

Hosts Gloucester have named four changes to their starting XV, which sees Jack Clement come into the back row with Lewis Ludlow and Ruan Ackermann.

Matias Alemanno partners Freddie Clarke in the second row, with Val Rapava-Ruskin, Jack Singleton and Fraser Balmain all retaining their places in the front row.

Kyle Moyle is named at full-back in a back three with Santiago Carreras and Ollie Thorley as Giorgi Kveseladze starts in midfield with Billy Twelvetrees.

Back-rower Olly Cracknell returns to the London Irish starting XV as Declan Kidney’s men head to Kingsholm Stadium on Friday evening to take on fellow EPCR Challenge Cup contenders Gloucester Rugby in the Gallagher Premiership.