Gloucester Rugby: team news ahead of Saints clash
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The two Gloucester Rugby sides for this weekend's games against Northampton Saints in the Gallagher Premiership and Exeter Chiefs in the Premiership Rugby Cup.
In the Premiership team, Jack Singleton comes in at hooker, with Santiago Socino dropping to the bench. Either side of him, Val Rapava-Ruskin and Fraser Balmain remain as the props. Freddie Clarke and Matias Alemanno maintain their places in the boiler house.
The back-row of Ruan Ackerman, Ben Morgan and captain Lewis Ludlow, is also the same as it was last weekend.
Stephen Varney makes his first league start of the season at scrum-half and Santiago Carreras starts at fly-half once again.
In the centre, Seb Atkinson makes his Gallagher Premiership debut for the Cherry & Whites. He's partnered with Scotland international Chris Harris.
In the back three, Jonny May returns on the wing after being away for England in the Autumn. Louis Rees-Zammit and Lloyd Evans complete the team.
Santiago Socino switches out of the starting XV for Singleton. Harry Elrington, Ciaran Knight, Cam Jordan and Jake Polledri all keep their places among the replacements from last Friday's clash with Quins.
Charlie Chapman and Billy Twelvetrees also both started on Friday, they cover the backs on the bench alongside Alex Hearle.
Team News v Saints
15. Lloyd Evans*
14. Louis Rees-Zammit*
13. Chris Harris
12. Seb Atkinson (GP debut for Gloucester Rugby)
11. Jonny May*
10. Santiago Carreras
9. Stephen Varney*
1. Val Rapava-Ruskin
2. Jack Singleton
3. Fraser Balmain
4. Freddie Clarke*
5. Matias Alemanno
6. Ruan Ackermann
7. Lewis Ludlow* (C)
8. Ben Morgan
16. Santiago Socino
17. Harry Elrington
18. Ciaran Knight*
19. Cam Jordan*
20. Jake Polledri*
21. Charlie Chapman*
22. Billy Twelvetrees
23. Alex Hearle
*Denotes academy graduate.