Due to international calls and injuries, Gloucester boss Dean Ryan has made six changes to the team that beat London Wasps last time out.
Ryan Lamb suffered a shoulder injury in the England Saxons victory over Ireland A at Welford Road last Friday, while Mike Tindall suffered a bruised liver in England's opening Six Nations match against Wales, and prop Christian Califano has a groin injury.
Skipper Peter Buxton lines up at lock alongside Will James with Alex Brown and Marco Bortolami hit by injury, while Balding joins Alasdair Strokosch and Andy Hazell in the back row. Akapusi Qera is still ruled out with a hand injury.
Scotland international Rory Lawson partners Willie Walker at half-back, while Anthony Allen returns to partner Jack Adams at centre. The back three is made up of James Simpson-Daniel, Mark Foster and James Bailey, with former Leicester man Leon Lloyd injured.
"One of the reasons we have made such a good start to the season is that we have not relied on any one individual to make a contribution," said head coach Ryan. "We have an excellent squad that will once again be tested this weekend. Leicester are an outstanding side and without doubt will present one of our biggest challenges of the season."
Gloucester team (v Leicester, Saturday 3pm):
15 James Bailey
14 James Simpson-Daniel
13 Jack Adams
12 Anthony Allen
11 Mark Foster
10 Willie Walker
9 Rory Lawson
1 Nick Wood
2 Olivier Azam
3 Jack Forster
4 Peter Buxton (c)
5 Will James
6 Alasdair Strokosch
7 Andy Hazell
8 Adam Balding
Replacements
16 Jeremy Paul
17 Andy Titterrell
18 Alasdair Dickinson
19 Jonathan Pendlebury
20 Gareth Cooper
21 Ali James
22 Charlie Sharples
