Gloucester Rugby face a challenging night at Kingston Park on Friday as injury troubles at the hooker position force them to rely on a loan signing. With Seb Blake, Jack Singleton, and Jack Innard all sidelined, Hartpury RFC’s Will Crane steps into the starting hooker role. The 31-year-old will anchor the front row alongside Val Rapava Ruskin and Afo Fasogbon.
Despite the disruption up front, the second row pairing of Freddie Thomas and Arthur Clark remains unchanged, while Lewis Ludlow and Jack Clement retain their back row spots. Returning from suspension, Deian Gwynne replaces James Venter at blindside flanker, pushing the South African to the bench.
Captain Tomos Williams partners Ross Byrne at half-back, with Seb Atkinson slotting in at inside centre. Notably, 18-year-old Will Knight will make his first Gallagher Premiership start at outside centre. The backline is completed by Ollie Thorley, Jack Cotgreave, and Charlie Atkinson.
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Gloucester’s bench features George Knowles, Ciaran Knight, Jamal Ford-Robinson, Cam Jordan, James Venter, Mikey Austin, George Barton, and Josh Hathaway.
On the opposing side, Newcastle Reds Bulls welcome former Gloucester winger Christian Wade back to the Gallagher Premiership. Wade, who transitioned from rugby league, is just nine tries short of becoming the division’s all-time leading scorer. Newcastle introduce three changes from their last match against Bristol Bears, including Richard Palframan at tight-head prop and Jamie Hodgson returning to the second row after recovering from a nose injury.
Ollie Leatherbarrow continues his strong form in the back row after scoring in his previous two games. On the bench, Ollie Fletcher is set to reach a milestone with his 50th appearance for the club. Head coach Alan Dickens is eager to kick off the new year on a positive note.
Newcastle Reds Bulls lineup:
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 lineup:
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
Referee: Christophe Ridley
Assistant referees: Richard Gordon and Wayne Falla
TMO: Peter Allan