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Gloucester name team for Saints despite rumours match about to be cancelled
By Online Editors
Lewis Ludlow continues to skipper Gloucester as George Skivington makes five changes to the Cherry and Whites side that took on Bath at the Recreation Ground. There are however unconfirmed reports that the match could be set to be called off by Premiership Rugby.
The GloucesterLive website say that they are "getting reports from well-placed sources that tomorrow’s game between Gloucester Rugby and Northampton Saints is set to be called off."
Ed Slater, Freddie Clarke and Louis Rees-Zammit come into the starting line-up in the place of Matt Garvey, Ruan Ackermann and Ollie Thorley respectively, who drop to the bench. Jake Polledri returns to the number 8 shirt, with Clarke occupying the blind-side flanker spot.
Willi Heinz and Lloyd Evans will partner in the half-backs once more, as well as Matt Banahan retaining the full-back shirt.
On the bench, Australian hooker James Hanson returns for Gloucester Rugby after a lengthy lay-off through injury. Mark Atkinson comes in amongst the replacements in place of Tom Seabrook having missed out at Bath.
George Skivington knows there is still plenty riding on the game, with a place in the European Champions Cup still up for grabs.
"Europe is obviously on the radar, and we know how important the game is from that perspective. We will have to fight hard to get there, and the results in the background will take care of themselves" said Skivington.
"From a coaching perspective, our emphasis is making sure we’ve got everything out of learning this squad, because that is the window of opportunity we’ve had during this period and I want to make sure we maximise that with this last opportunity."
Gloucester Rugby
15. Matt Banahan
14. Louis Rees-Zammit
13. Chris Harris
12. Billy Twelvetrees
11. Jonny May
10. Lloyd Evans
9. Willi Heinz
1. Val Rapava-Ruskin
2. Jack Singleton
3. Fraser Balmain
4. Ed Slater
5. Matias Alemanno
6. Freddie Clarke
7. Lewis Ludlow ©
8. Jake Polledri
Replacements
16. James Hanson
17. Corne Fourie
18. Jack Stanley
19. Matt Garvey
20. Ruan Ackermann
21. Joe Simpson
22. Mark Atkinson
23. Ollie Thorley
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Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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