GLOUCESTER’S ‘clubmen’ can prove a point against Cardiff Blues tomorrow, believes Bryan Redpath.

Cherry and Whites boss Redpath has handed a clutch of his squad the chance to show their worth against the Welshmen in tomorrow’s LV=Cup clash at Kingsholm (kick-off 3pm).

Head coach Redpath hailed his patient players who have been itching for an opportunity in recent weeks to get back on the field and fight for regular first team action.

Now the international brigade are on Six Nations watch, that opportunity is here.

And Redpath believes a number of his players will not waste it.

Tom Voyce slots in at full-back with Jonny May on Saxons duty, while new signing Ollie Phillips gets his first action on the wing.

Tim Molenaar makes his first start of the season after recovering from his shoulder surgery.

England Under-20s cap Ryan Mills starts at fly-half, and Redpath expects old heads like Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu to allow him to settle into his natural rhythm.

Tomorrow’s entire front-row has been starved of first team action, and Redpath backed them to carry on the good work after last weekend’s Toulouse victory – especially Shaun Knight.

Redpath explained: “Rupert’s involvement with the Saxons automatically pushes Shaun in there, and he’s got a chance to come in and push Dario.

“Shaun came on last weekend and did well, and being a local lad in such a big game that’s a big thing for him.

“And that’s crucial, and the same for Tim Molenaar, he’s desperate to get back in the mix.

“And with Freddie away and Tim Taylor injured it’s a chance for Ryan to play and start at ten.

“Tom Voyce will be desperate to play too, with Charlie away and Les moved on.

“Now is the chance for us to use our clubmen very well, and the next six weeks are vital to that.

“Eliota alongside him should help him, and that will be good.

“So that’s really important, so there’s a few people who are going to get some opportunities, there’s quite a few people with points to prove and that’s exactly the way we want it.”

The Cherry and Whites need a victory to keep their hopes of retaining the LV=Cup alive.

Cardiff are similarly hit by international call-ups, but Redpath still expects a fierce contest.

He continued: “In the same way that our guys are champing at the bit, so they will be desperate for this.

“They will have a lot of guys keen to come here and show what they can do too, and then you’ve also got to factor in the fact that it’s a Welsh side coming to England, so that will always add spice too.”

GLOUCESTER: Tom Voyce, Ollie Phillips, Tim Molenaar, Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, James Simpson-Daniel, Ryan Mills, Dave Lewis, Dan Murphy, Matias Cortese, Shaun Knight, Will James, Alex Brown, Pete Buxton (capt), Andy Hazell, Brett Deacon. Replacements: Darren Dawidiuk, Yann Thomas, Dario Chistolini, Matt Cox, Gareth Evans, Nick Runciman, Mike Tindall, Henry Trinder.