Skivington looks forward to exciting challenge

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Created on Friday, 29 October 2021 11:09

Last Updated on Friday, 29 October 2021 12:24

Published on Friday, 29 October 2021 11:09

Written by TIM ROGERS at Kingsholm

George Skivington has named his match day 23 to host Exeter Chiefs in Round 7 of the Gallagher Premiership tonight (1945).

The head coach has made five changes to the starting 15 which beat Newcastle Falcons 29-20 last time out with Fraser Balmain, Andrew Davidson, Adam Hastings, Santiago Carreras and Billy Twelvetrees all coming in to start.

Jonny May and Mark Atkinson are away on international duty with England.

Jason Woodward retains the 15 shirt and will have Louis Rees-Zammit and Carreras outside him on the wings.

Hastings returns at fly-half and will partner Twelvetrees and Chris Harris in the midfield with Ben Meehan starting at scrum half.

In the forwards, Balmain starts at tight head and will pack down next to Jack Singleton and Val Rapava-Ruskin.

Freddie Clarke is once again named at lock with Davidson coming in to partner him. The backrow is an unchanged Ruan Ackermann at 6, Ben Morgan at 8 and captain Lewis Ludlow starting at openside.

Skivington says: "They are definitely a massive threat. Losing last week to London Irish, that will sharpen their tools as well. I don’t think they needed them sharpening because I think they are an unbelievable outfit and they are the benchmark for building a club. They’ve done a great job and they’ve got the trophies off the back of it and countless finals and experience. They’ve been there and done it for the past 10 years in Premiership Rugby which is outstanding. They know how to win a game of rugby. They’ve got power up front and class and really good game management.

"A really big challenge for us and a really tough Friday night but it’s exciting because we get to find out where we are."

Gloucester Rugby

15. Jason Woodward
14. Louis Rees-Zammit 
13. Chris Harris
12. Billy Twelvetrees
11. Santiago Carreras
10. Adam Hastings
9. Ben Meehan

1. Val Rapava-Ruskin
2. Jack Singleton
3. Fraser Balmain
4. Freddie Clarke 
5. Andrew Davidson
6. Ruan Ackermann
7. Lewis Ludlow (c) 
8. Ben Morgan

16. Santiago Socino
17. Harry Elrington
18. Kirill Gotovtsev
19. Freddie Thomas 
20. Jack Clement 
21. Charlie Chapman 
22. Lloyd Evans 
23. Kyle Moyle

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