Gallagher Premiership Round 10
Gloucester v Bristol
Venue: Kingsholm
Kick-off: 19:45
Friday night sees the return of Premiership Rugby to Kingsholm, and the west-country derby has a lot more than just pride at stake.
Gloucester will be hoping to pick up where they left off after back-to back wins in the cup against near neighbours Bath and Exeter and a tight victory in the premiership at Wasps last week.
For Bristol, it’s a chance to get back on track after losing at home last time out to Northampton Saints.
Gloucester:
The big news for the hosts is the return of Louis Rees-Zammit onto the wing in place of Jonny May, one of seven changes made by Skivington.
Chris Harris returns at outside-centre to partner Mark Atkinson, while Lloyd Evans moves to full-back as Kyle Moyle drops to the bench.
Freddie Clarke chalks up his 100th appearance for the cherry and whites in the second row alongside Argentine Matias Alemanno.
Bristol:
For the Bears, the return of Semi Radradra onto the bench for the first time since the Olympics comes as a huge boost ahead of Friday’s clash.
Amongst the other changes, Steven Luatua is back to skipper the side from number eight, whilst livewire scrum-half Harry Randall makes a timely return to the starting XV.
John Afoa and Harry Thacker are both named to start in the front-row, however Kyle Sinckler is not in the squad.
Where they are:
George Skivington’s men sit 6th in the league table with four wins from their eight league games, stark contrast to tomorrow night’s visitors Bristol who lie 11th having lost five of their opening fixtures.
Pat Lam’s side have been reeling since finishing top of the table last season, and have not been helped by numerous injuries, including that of marquee player Semi Radradra.
The departure of Saracens loanees Ben Earl and Max Malins back to their parent club at the end of last season has left the Bears short of options, a big factor in their slow start to their campaign.
What they have to say:
George Skivington (speaking to Gloucester Rugby’s official website):
“We’re looking forward to coming to Kingsholm and getting everyone in. Friday nights are great fun and I’m really looking forward to it.
“Bristol pose a massive challenge and they play some seriously exciting rugby. Pat (Lam) is a quality coach and the systems that he’s got in place have been proven to work time and time again.
They are a threat from everywhere on the field. Combine that with a really strong set piece, they are very very dangerous.
We’re fully respectful of what’s coming and what Bristol are capable of but ultimately we’re looking forward to coming back to Kingsholm and hopefully having a good day here.”
Line-ups:
Gloucester Rugby
15. Lloyd Evans, 14. Louis Rees-Zammit, 13. Chris Harris, 12. Mark Atkinson, 11. Ollie Thorley, 10. Adam Hastings, 9. Ben Meehan; 1. Val Rapava-Ruskin, 2. Jack Singleton, 3. Kirill Gotovtsev, 4. Freddie Clarke, 5. Matias Alemanno, 6. Ruan Ackermann, 7. Lewis Ludlow (c), 8. Ben Morgan
Replacements: 16. Santiago Socino, 17. Harry Elrington, 18. Jamal Ford-Robinson, 19. Andrew Davidson, 20. Jordy Reid, 21. Charlie Chapman, 22. Billy Twelvetrees, 23. Kyle Moyle
Bristol Bears
15. Charles Piutau, 14. Toby Fricker, 13. Henry Purdy, 12. Piers O’Conor, 11. Alapati Leiua, 10. Callum Sheedy, 9. Harry Randall; 1. Jake Woolmore, 2. Harry Thacker, 3. John Afoa, 4. Dave Attwood, 5. Joe Joyce, 6. Chris Vui, 7. Dan Thomas, 8. Steven Luatua (c).
Replacements: 16. Jake Kerr, 17. Yann Thomas, 18. Ashley Challenger, 19. Jake Heenan, 20. Fitz Harding, 21. Tom Whiteley, 22. Semi Radradra, 23. Luke Morahan
