Gloucester Rugby’s Heineken Champions Cup hopes have been handed a boost as Louis Rees-Zammit makes his return from injury for Wales in their Six Nations clash with England in Cardiff on Saturday.

The prolific wing is yet to feature in this season’s Heineken Champions Cup, but he has scored seven tries in 12 EPCR appearances and will be huge asset for Gloucester in their Round of 16 trip to reigning champions Stade Rochelais on April 1.

Rees-Zammit comes as part of a swathe of changes made by Wales head coach Warren Gatland following their heavy defeat to Scotland a fortnight ago.

Flanker Justin Tipuric is another notable returnee, with the EPCR Player of the Year nominee one of a large contingent of Ospreys stars, who earned the region a Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 trip to Saracens on April 2, in the starting XV.

Owen Williams makes his first Test start at fly-half while Joe Hawkins is brought in at inside centre. Props Gareth Thomas and Tomas Francis join Tipuric and the second-row pairing of Adam Beard and Alun Wyn Jones in the pack.

Exeter Chiefs’ Christ Tshiunza, who scored his maiden Heineken Champions Cup try in Round 4 last month, continues at blindside flanker.