"Selection gets a helluva lot easier this time of the year," said Tigers head coach Pat Howard. "It's a case of last man standing right now! Seriously though, we're obviously after some consistency, I've brought together a few of these players, but we've got a little bit to make up from last week's performance."
Kicking machine Goode replaces Ross Broadfoot in the No.10 shirt - with the latter dropping to the bench - whilst Lions tourist Smith will wear the No.13 shirt, with Leon Lloyd shifting out to the wing in place of Samoan squad member Alesana Tuilagi. Full back Sam Vesty, speedy winger Tom Varndell, inside centre Dan Hipkiss and captain Austin Healey - the latter in his 200th start for Tigers - all remain in the backline from last week.
The selection of youngster Tom Croft in the No.6 shirt is the big news up front, the athletic back five forward earning his first start for Tigers since joining the first team squad this season. Brett Deacon shifts to No.8, whilst fit-again Irishman Shane Jennings returns at openside, having missed the Worcester loss because of an ankle injury.
"I think Tom Croft and Johnny Murphy have been the most outstanding academy players this season," commented Howard. "Tom has some unique skills for a forward and we're happy to give him an opportunity with some experienced blokes around him."
Will Johnson is battling with a foot injury and has been bracketed on the bench with Will Skinner - who started at No.7 against Worcester - and in the final change up front, Wales prop Darren Morris swaps places between the bench and the No.3 shirt with double international Alex Moreno.
"Will should be right, but for now we've bracketed him with Skins," explained Howard. "The same goes for James Buckland, who has been bracketed with Luke Abraham. We'll make that call closer to the weekend."
And looking ahead to Saturday, in the aftermath of last week's defeat at Sixways, Tigers' coach added: "We had some set-piece issues to deal with after last week; we've done a lot of work on that this week, but we also have to learn to take our opportunities on attack. Hopefully the guys will back themselves on Saturday and take their chances when they're presented."
Leicester Tigers team to face Gloucester:
5 Sam Vesty
14 Leon Lloyd
13 Ollie Smith
12 Dan Hipkiss
11 Tom Varndell
10 Andy Goode
9 Austin Healey (captain)
1 Michael Holford
2 George Chuter
3 Darren Morris
4 Leo Cullen
5 Ben Kay
6 Tom Croft
7 Shane Jennings
8 Brett Deacon
Replacements:
16 James Buckland/Luke Abraham
17 Alex Moreno
18 James Hamilton
19 Will Johnson/Will Skinner
20 Neil Cole
21 Ross Broadfoot
22 Anitelea Tuilagi
