Gloucester Rugby name side for knock-out tie with Northampton

April 15, 2022
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Ultimate Rugby

George Skivington has picked his side for Gloucester Rugby’s Challenge Cup Round of 16 fixture against Northampton Saints.

There are 10 changes to the Cherry and White side that defeated the Dragons in Newport last time out with five forwards and five backs coming into the team.

Santiago Carreras will start at fullback with Louis Rees-Zammit and Ollie Thorley keeping their places on the wings. Chris Harris, Mark Atkinson, Adam Hastings and Charlie Chapman all come into a new Cherry and White midfield.

In the forwards, Val Rapava-Ruskin and Fraser Balmain return at prop with Santiago Socino starting at hooker after a hat-trick against the Dragons last weekend. Freddie Clarke keeps his jersey with Matias Alemanno coming in to partner him at second row. Jordy Reid keeps his spot at flanker with both Ruan Ackermann and captain Lewis Ludlow returning to the starting side.

There is a strong list of replacements with Jack Singleton, Harry Elrington, Jamal Ford-Robinson, Alex Craig and Ben Morgan covering the forwards with Ben Meehan, Billy Twelvetrees and Tom Seabrook named as back replacements.

George Skivington is looking forward to the challenge of knock-out rugby.

“If you win you get some more rugby and if you lose, then you don’t. We didn’t produce our best last time we were here and that’s important to us whatever team we’re playing. We want to put our best foot forward on Saturday. We know Saints well and it was a tough and tight encounter last time and I expect it to be fast and furious here on Saturday night.”

Gloucester Rugby
15. Santiago Carreras

14. Louis Rees-Zammit *

13. Chris Harris

12. Mark Atkinson

11. Ollie Thorley *

10. Adam Hastings

9. Charlie Chapman *

1. Val Rapava-Ruskin

2. Santiago Socino

3. Fraser Balmain

4. Freddie Clarke *

5. Mati Alemanno