Jason Woodward and James Hanson return to the starting line-up ahead of Gloucester’s crucial clash against Harlequins at Kingsholm this Saturday. Gloucester must win to keep up with top four and chasing pack if they want to reach the post season play-offs. They currently lie in seventh, five points behind Wasps in fourth.
Hibbard out with illness
Richard Hibbard remains out through illness as James Hanson retains his spot despite having a tough time against Exeter last weekend. He’ll have a big game in the front row as Harlequins go full strength in their bid to climb up the table. Jason Woodward passed his concussion protocol and replaces Tom Hudson at full back, he’ll look to attack the Quins backline as Gloucester will have to try and get the bonus point if they want to realistically chase the play-off spot.
Henry Trinder makes his 100th Premiership appearance on the left wing instead of Tom Marshall and Billy Twelvetrees returns to the midfield at outside centre. Callum Braley starts at scrum half and will be partnered by Billy Burns at outside half in the new look half back pairing due to the injury absentee’s of Willi Heinz and Owen Williams.
Ed Slater captains the side and will be alongside former All Black Jeremy Thrush. Jake Polledri returns to the back row in place of Ruan Ackermann, who drops to the bench.
Harlequins name strong squad to face the Cherry and Whites
Mike Brown, Jamie Roberts and Danny Care are amongst the backs set to take on Gloucester. They will want to overturn a two game losing streak in the Aviva Premiership following a loss to Saracens away before getting hammered by London Irish. A result that saw Director of Rugby John Kingston get removed to his post at the end of this season.
Joe Marler, Joe Gray and Kyle Sinckler start in the front row and will pose a real tough threat for Gloucester as well as posing a real threat around the park. Flankers Chris Robshaw and Jack Clifford will be a danger around the park, especially with Sinckler having a moving ability at the breakdown.
Luke Wallace is amongst the replacements.
Gloucester need all five points to keep play-off hopes alive
With Bath (home) and Saracens (away) coming up it’s fair to say that Gloucester will need at least a win from this weekend’s tie, probably a bonus point too. Entering the game five points adrift in seventh place means they have the most ground to make up of the contenders.
Whilst Quins languish down in ninth, they too will want a strong end to the season to close the gap to the top eight teams.
? TEAM NEWS
Here is the @Gloucesterrugby team to face @harlequins at Kingsholm in a crucial @premrugby clash this Saturday (KO 3pm) #GLOvHAR pic.twitter.com/QLDTzUHHGT
— Gloucester Rugby (@gloucesterrugby) 13 April 2018
? TEAM NEWS | Here is your Harlequins squad to face Gloucester Rugby in Round 20 of @premrugby
? Full story https://t.co/VKxyeHaZVc #GLOvHAR pic.twitter.com/9SQDCesB5B
— Harlequins ? (@Harlequins) 13 April 2018
