New boss Skivington names his first Gloucester team
New Gloucester boss George Skivington have named his XV to face Worcester in Saturday's Gallagher Premiership restart fixture at Sixways. The former London Irish assistant took over at Kingsholm in late June following the departures of head coach Johan Ackermann and director of rugby David Humphreys.
He has now chosen a team that will be captained by Lewis Ludlow and includes old favourite Jonny May on the wing following his return to Gloucester from Leicester.
May is joined by fellow England international Jack Singleton, who will make his first start for Gloucester at hooker. From the bench, Logo Mulipola, Jack Stanley and Matt Garvey also look set to make their debuts for the club.
Head coach Skivington said: “Worcester are a tough outfit and they know how to have a good battle. They are one of those teams where it’s extremely tough to go to Worcester and win.
"It’s a good challenge. It’s down the road, so it is a derby. It’s a good game for me to start off and be involved in because I know it will be tough.
"Worcester will put our lads under big pressure. Our characters will be tested from a fit, aggressive team. So a nice one to start with in terms of finding out what we are about, but a tough game to start with because I know what Worcester are about.”
GLOUCESTER (v Worcester, Saturday)
15. Jason Woodward; 14. Ollie Thorley, 13. Chris Harris, 12. Billy Twelvetrees, 11. Jonny May, 10. Danny Cipriani, 9. Joe Simpson; 1. Val Rapava-Ruskin, 2. Jack Singleton, 3. Fraser Balmain, 4. Ed Slater, 5, Freddie Clarke, 6. Ruan Ackermann, 7. Lewis Ludlow (capt), 8. Jake Polledri.
Replacements:
16. Henry Walker, 17. Logovi’i Mulipola, 18, Jack Stanley, 19. Matt Garvey, 20. Jack Clement, 21. Stephen Varney, 22. Tom Seabrook, 23. Louis Rees-Zammit.
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Great to see Aki Tuivailala at the Crusaders. Played well for Waikato and NZ Under 20's. Hamilton Boys High has become a great feeder for the Crusaders . Plenty of great local talent coming through, such outstanding young lock Liam Jack. Nephew of All Black Chris Jack. His Dad Graham was in the NPC winning Canterbury team of 1997 . Locked the scrum with Reuben Thorne. Two of his team mates Dads were in that team too, Todd Blackadder, ( captain) , son is Ethan and Angus Gardiner son is Dominic.
Go to commentsKyle Preston looks the goods. Fit , had great form for Wellington in the NPC. He is going to do well for the Crusaders. Like his last name sake Jon Preston, ( who played for Canterbury and Wellington, same position in the 1990's), he is one of the fittest around. Great he mentions Mitchell Drummond. As he said he is a great mentor and leader in the Crusaders.
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