Gloucester Rugby have made 7 changes to the side that drew 25-25 with Wasps last weekend.
Captain Willi Heinz returns for the cherry and whites after missing the last two games against Worcester and Wasps due to injury. Matt Scott will partner Heinz on the back row, and despite Henry Trinder’s recent upturn in form, he is left on the bench and is replaced by David Halaifonua.
Rapava Ruskin will be a welcome sight on the Kingsholm pitch for Gloucester fans as he makes his first appearance for the club since mid-November. The former Worcester Warriors prop has faced a lengthy spell on the side-lines after suffering ligament damage in training last year. Tom Savage is also recalled to the starting 15, as he comes into the second row for Ed Slater.
Freddie Clarke starts over Lewis Ludlow in the back row and Fraser Balmain starts in place of John Afoa at tighthead.
Lloyd Evans, James Hanson, Ben Morgan, Henry Purdy, Jacob Rowan, Andy Symons, and Ollie Thorley all miss out for the Cherry and Whites.
Newcastle are just two points above of Gloucester in the Aviva Premiership, and with just six weeks remaining, points are vital for both sides.
The Falcons have made two changes to their side, as Ally Hogg replaces Mark Wilson and Sean Robinson replaces Will Witty.
Gloucester Rugby:
- Jason Woodward; 14. Charlie Sharples, 13. Matt Scott, 12. Mark Atkinson, 11. David Halaifonua; 10. Billy Burns, 9. Willi Heinz (capt); 1. Val Rapava Ruskin, 2. Richard Hibbard, 3. Fraser Balmain; 4. Tom Savage, 5. Mariano Galarza; 6. Freddie Clarke, 7. Jake Polledri, 8. Ruan Ackermann
Replacements:
- Motu Matu’u, 17. Josh Hohneck, 18. John Afoa, 19. Ed Slater, 20. Lewis Ludlow, 21. Callum Braley, 22. Billy Twelvetrees, 23. Tom Marshall
Newcastle Falcons:
- Simon Hammersley, 14. Vereniki Goneva, 13. Chris Harris, 12. Josh Matavesi, 11. Sinoti Sinoti, 10. Toby Flood, 9. Michael Young, 1. Rob Vickers, 2. Kyle Cooper, 3. Jon Welsh, 4. Calum Green, 5. Sean Robinson, 6. Ally Hogg, 7. Will Welch (captain) 8. Nili Latu
Replacements:
- Scott Lawson, 17. Sam Lockwood, 18. Trevor Davison, 19. Will Witty, 20. Callum Chick, 21. Sonatane Takulua, 22. Joel Hodgson, 23. Maxime Mermoz
