Ahead of their Round Nine clash in the 2025/26 Gallagher Premiership, Gloucester Rugby face a significant setback in their front row. With hookers Seb Blake, Jack Singleton, and Jack Innard sidelined through injury, Gloucester have secured an emergency loan signing from Hartpury RFC. Will Crane, 31, steps in to start at hooker, lining up between Val Rapava Ruskin and Afo Fasogbon in the front row.
The pack’s second row remains unchanged, featuring Freddie Thomas and Arthur Clark, while back-row spots see Lewis Ludlow and Jack Clement retain their positions. After serving a suspension for contact with an opponent’s eye, Deian Gwynne returns at blindside flanker, replacing James Venter, who drops to the bench.
Key backline selections include captain Tomos Williams partnering Ross Byrne at half-back, with Seb Atkinson at inside centre. Notably, 18-year-old Will Knight earns his first Gallagher Premiership start at outside centre, flanked by Ollie Thorley, Jack Cotgreave, and Charlie Atkinson.
READ MORE: Trail Hunting Ban Criticized as Attack on Rural Communities by North Cotswolds MP
READ MORE: Debate Intensifies Over Chepstow Bypass as MP Reconsiders Traffic Relief Plans for A48
Gloucester’s replacements bench totals eight, with George Knowles, Ciaran Knight, Jamal Ford-Robinson, Cam Jordan, James Venter, Mikey Austin, George Barton, and Josh Hathaway ready to contribute.
On the home side, Newcastle Red Bulls welcome former Gloucester winger Christian Wade making his first Premiership appearance for the club. Wade is approaching a remarkable milestone, just nine tries short of the division’s all-time try-scoring record since his return from rugby league. Newcastle make three changes from their recent win over Bristol Bears, including Richard Palframan stepping in at tight-head prop as Murray McCallum shifts to loose-head, with Adam Brocklebank out due to illness.
Jamie Hodgson returns to the second row following a recent nose injury, while Ollie Leatherbarrow continues his impressive form in the back row after scoring in consecutive games. On the bench, Ollie Fletcher is set to mark his 50th appearance for Newcastle, a hometown player aiming to inspire a strong start to the calendar year under head coach Alan Dickens.
Starting line-ups for the match are:
Newcastle Red Bulls:
15 Ethan Grayson, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Alex Hearle, 12 Sammy Arnold, 11 Elliott Obatoyinbo, 10 Brett Connon, 9 Simón Benítez Cruz; 1 Murray McCallum, 2 George McGuigan (c), 3 Richard Palframan, 4 Oscar Usher, 5 Jamie Hodgson, 6 Tom Gordon, 7 Tom Christie, 8 Ollie Leatherbarrow
Replacements:
16 Ollie Fletcher, 17 Connor Hancock, 18 Luan de Bruin, 19 Finn Baker, 20 Amanaki Mafi, 21 James Elliott, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Oli Spencer
Gloucester Rugby:
15 Charlie Atkinson, 14 Jack Cotgreave, 13 Will Knight, 12 Seb Atkinson, 11 Ollie Thorley, 10 Ross Byrne, 9 Tomos Williams (c); 1 Val Rapava Ruskin, 2 Will Crane, 3 Afo Fasogbon, 4 Freddie Thomas, 5 Arthur Clark, 6 Deian Gwynne, 7 Lewis Ludlow, 8 Jack Clement
Replacements:
16 George Knowles, 17 Ciaran Knight, 18 Jamal Ford-Robinson, 19 Cam Jordan, 20 James Venter, 21 Mikey Austin, 22 George Barton, 23 Josh Hathaway
The match will be officiated by referee Christophe Ridley, with assistant referees Richard Gordon and Wayne Falla. Peter Allan will serve as the TMO.