GLOUCESTER RUGBY Savage hits Cherry & Whites century
- Details
- Last Updated on Friday, 18 December 2015 09:59
- Published on Thursday, 17 December 2015 10:44
Gloucester second row warrior Tom Savage is set to make his 100thcompetitive appearance for the Cherry and Whites against Worcester Warriors in tonight’s European Rugby Challenge Cup tie at Kingsholm (1945ko).
The 26-year-old forward will reach his century as one of 10 changes to the winning XV that started last Thursday’s 34-22 pool four victory at Worcester.
Welsh tight-head prop Nicky Thomas makes his first Gloucester start in a new look front row alongside Yann Thomas and hooker Darren Dawidiuk. In the second row, Savage partners Mariano Galarza, who lines up against his former club along with flanker Matt Kvesic.
Rob Cook, Charlie Sharples, Billy Twelvetrees, Jonny May and James Hook return in the backs.
Cup holders Gloucester top the pool by eight points as they target a record 13th successive competition win.
Defence coach Jonny Bell said: "This competition has special meaning for us and we want to progress. We're in the box seat at the moment. A top two seeding for the quarter-final is important because there are some great teams in the tournament and securing a quarter-final at Kingsholm, in front of a passionate home support, is ultimately what we want to do.
"We need to make sure that we control things well and deliver because Worcester are coming to Kingsholm to try and upset the apple cart.”
Gloucester Rugby starting 15 Rob Cook 14 Charlie Sharples 13 Henry Purdy 12 Billy Twelvetrees (capt) 11 Jonny May 10 James Hook 9 Greig Laidlaw 1 Yann Thomas 2 Darren Dawidiuk 3 Nicky Thomas 4 Tom Savage 5 Mariano Galarza 6 Jacob Rowan 7 Matt Kvesic 8 Lewis Ludlow
Ready on the bench 16 Tom Lindsay 17 Dan Murphy 18 Josh McNulty 19 Elliott Stooke 20 Tom Hicks 21 Willi Heinz 22 Billy Burns 23 Mark Atkinson
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.