Gloucester Rugby team to take on Sale Sharks

Director of Rugby, George Skivington, has named his Cherry & Whites side to take on Sale Sharks at Kingsholm in the Gallagher Premiership on Sunday.

There are four changes to the Gloucester Rugby side that defeated Castres Olympique in the Challenge Cup last weekend.

Up front, Kirill Gotovtsev returns from a minor injury to replace Fraser Balmain, who picked up a hamstring injury in the early stages of the Cup win on Friday.

He joins George McGuigan and Jamal Ford-Robinson, who was named Player of the Match against Castres, in the front row.

Freddie Clarke and Matias Alemanno continue their partnership in the boiler house.

In the back row, captain Lewis Ludlow returns, alongside Ruan Ackermann and Zach Mercer.

After an injury to Adam Hastings last week, there's an opportunity for Charlie Atkinson in the number 10 shirt.

He's set to make his Gloucester Rugby debut, after signing from Leicester Tigers before Christmas.

Caolan Englefield retains his place at scrum-half, where he'll partner newbie, Atkinson.

Seb Atkinson and Chris Harris line up in the midfield, with Ollie Thorley, Alex Hearle and Santi Carreras as the back three.

On the bench, there are five Gloucester Rugby academy graduates in Seb Blake, Ciaran Knight, Jack Clement, Stephen Varney and Josh Hathaway.

They;'re bolstered by the international duo of Albert Tuisue and Max Llewellyn, and prop, Harry Elrington.

Team News

15. Santi Carreras

14. Alex Hearle

13. Chris Harris

12. Seb Atkinson*

11. Ollie Thorley*

10. Charlie Atkinson

9. Caolan Englefield

1. Jamal Ford-Robinson

2. George McGuigan

3. Kirill Gotovtsev

4. Freddie Clarke*

5. Matias Alemanno

6. Ruan Ackermann

7. Lewis Ludlow* (C)

8. Zach Mercer

Replacements

16. Seb Blake*

17. Harry Elrington

18. Ciaran Knight*

19. Albert Tuisue

20. Jack Clement*

21. Stephen Varney*

22. Max Llewellyn

23. Josh Hathaway*

Unavailable for selection

Val Rapava-Ruskin

Adam Hastings

Jonny May

Fraser Balmain

Mayco Vivas

Santiago Socino

Mark Atkinson