Team News | Gloucester Rugby v Bristol Bears

Team News | Gloucester Rugby v Bristol Bears

Gloucester Rugby go head-to-head with West Country rivals, Bristol Bears, tomorrow afternoon, with the Rifles Cup on the line.

The Cherry & Whites' starting XV has four changes to the side that defeated Leicester Tigers at Welford Road last weekend.

In the front row, Jamal Ford-Robinson is set for his 99th Gloucester Rugby appearance at loose-head, with Kirill Gotovtsev packing down on the tight-head once more.

Adam McBurney, on loan from Edinburgh, makes his first appearance for the Club, following a minor training injury for Seb Blake.

Freddie Clarke and Cam Jordan continue their impressive partnership in the pack, with Ruan Ackermann, Zach Mercer and Jack Clement, who penned a fresh deal at Kingsholm this week, completing the pack.

Ackermann captains the side again.

Last week's match winners, Stephen Varney and Santi Carreras, continue in the half-backs, with Chris Harris joining Max Llewellyn in the midfield.

Ollie Thorley returns to the staring XV, replacing Jonny May.

Thorley joins Josh Hathaway and Lloyd Evans in the back-three, with the former making his first Gallagher Premiership start at Kingsholm.

Due to Seb Blake's injury, Hartpury RFC captain, Will Crane, has linked up with the Cherry & Whites for the game. He's added to a hugely experienced Gloucester bench.

Val Rapava Ruskin, Fraser Balmain, Albert Tuisue and Lewis Ludlow join Crane as forwards cover, with Caolan Englefield, Seb Atkinson and Jonny May the backs replacements.

Team News

15. Lloyd Evans

14. Josh Hathaway*

13. Chris Harris

12. Max Llewellyn

11. Ollie Thorley*

10. Santi Carreras

9. Stephen Varney*

1. Jamal Ford-Robinson

2. Adam McBurney**

3. Kirill Gotovtsev

4. Freddie Clarke*

5. Cam Jordan*

6. Ruan Ackermann (C)

7. Jack Clement*

8. Zach Mercer

Replacements

16. Will Crane**

17. Val Rapava-Ruskin

18. Fraser Balmain

19. Albert Tuisue

20. Lewis Ludlow*

21. Caolan Englefield

22. Seb Atkinson*

23. Jonny May*

* Denotes academy player or graduate

**Denotes loan player

Unavailable for selection

George McGuigan

Matias Alemanno

Santiago Socino

Adam Hastings

Seb Blake