The free-scoring winger, who has seven tries to his name in the Guinness Premiership, returns to the starting line-up following a family bereavement. Iain Balshaw switches to full-back because of the shoulder injury to Olly Morgan and Luke Narraway comes in on the blindside flank in place of Alasdair Strokosch.
"Lesley has been through a traumatic couple of weeks and our thoughts have been with him but I would like to think we are also capable of offering him plenty of support and it is obviously great to have him back in the squad," said head coach Dean Ryan.
"This is a vital stage of the season and we need our big name players involved for a game of this magnitude."
The rest of Ryan's line-up remains the same as the one that beat Bourgoin 31-7 last Friday to establish themselves as pool leaders after three rounds with 14 points from a possible 15.
However, there are changes to the bench. Marco Bortolami (calf) returns in place of Will James and Willie Walker comes in for Chris Paterson who is ruled out with rib damage. The diagnosis on Morgan's injury will continue.
"We have given ourselves a great opportunity to progress in this competition but I have been involved in the Heineken Cup for too long to either expect something to happen or to take a team lightly," Ryan added.
"Our group is still alive and I said last Friday that I expect Bourgoin to come to Kingsholm revved up and nothing has changed my view on that. There is nothing more dangerous than a wounded French side and we have to ensure our preparation, composure and focus is dead right.
"It is up to us to dictate and impose ourselves on this game - we have established a great platform and now we need to build on it."
James Simpson-Daniel, a try scorer at the Stade Pierre Rajon, completes the back three alongside Balshaw and Vainikolo.
Anthony Allen and Mike Tindall are the centres, while Ryan Lamb and Rory Lawson are the half-backs.
Up front, Narraway's inclusion on the flank - he has made all his previous appearances this season at number eight - is the only change to the pack.
Nick Wood, Olivier Azam and Carlos Nieto are the front row, Peter Buxton, who has signed a new two-year contract, is at lock alongside Alex Brown and Narraway, Akapusi Qera and Gareth Delve completes the back row.
On the bench, Andy Titterrell and Christian Califano will join Bortolami and Strokosch, while Gareth Cooper, Walker and Leon Lloyd are Ryan's other options.
GLOUCESTER (v Bourgoin, tomorrow): Iain Balshaw; James Simpson-Daniel, Mike Tindall, Anthony Allen, Lesley Vainikolo; Ryan Lamb, Rory Lawson; Nick Wood, Olivier Azam, Carlos, Nieto, Peter Buxton (capt), Alex Brown, Luke Narraway, Akapusi Qera, Gareth Delve. Reps: Andy Titterrell, Christian Califano, Marco Bortolami, Alasdair Strokosch, Gareth Cooper, Willie Walker, Leon Lloyd
There are still tickets available for tomorrow's game and they can be purchased by calling the ticket hotline number on 0871 871 8781.
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