Fixture Information 

Venue – Matmut Stadium

VS – Lyon

Kick off – Friday 10 December, 8pm (UK time)

Coverage - BT Sport, EPCR Website (live stream) and BBC Radio Gloucestershire 

Team News

George Skivington has named his Gloucester Rugby side to face Lyon in Round 1 of the Heineken Challenge Cup.

The Cherry and Whites kick off their European campaign against the French side on Friday night and have named a team with a blend of international and academy players with 14 of the 23 either graduating or coming from the Gloucester Rugby Academy.

It’s an all changed 15 from the team that beat Bristol last time out with Kyle Moyle starting at fullback alongside Santiago Carreras and Alex Morgan on the wings. Billy Twelvetrees captains the side from inside centre and has Giorgi Kveseladze outside of him at 13. Stephen Varney will link up with George Barton at halfback.

In the forwards, Jamal Ford-Robinson, Santiago Socino and Fraser Balmain pack down in the front row with Andrew Davidson and Arthur Clark at second row. Freddie Thomas, Jack Clement and Harry Taylor make up the backrow.

There is a strong academy feel to the bench with seven of the eight replacements either graduating or being part of the Gloucester Rugby Academy.

Gloucester Rugby will be wearing our away strip due to a clash in kits meaning we are unable to wear our new European shirt. 

George Skivington is looking forward to starting the European competition.

“I’m expecting a very tough game. We felt that last year when we went over. That was obviously a very convincing win for them. They are playing really well this season and they are right at the top end of their league. I expect it to be a real challenge and I expect it to be a bit hostile but in good spirit. We’ll prepare as best we can. We’ve had a good look at them and we feel that our game is coming on. It’s a really exciting challenge to go out there and have a crack at one of the best teams in France.”

Gloucester Rugby

15. Kyle Moyle

14. Santiago Carreras

13. Giorgi Kveseladze

12. Billy Twelvetrees (c)

11. Alex Morgan *

10. George Barton *

9. Stephen Varney *

1. Jamal Ford-Robinson

2. Santiago Socino

3. Fraser Balmain

4. Andrew Davidson

5. Arthur Clark *

6. Freddie Thomas *

7. Harry Taylor *

8. Jack Clement *

16. Henry Walker *

17. Ciaran Knight *

18. Bryan O’Connor *

19. Cameron Jordan *

20. Wian Conradie

21. Charlie Chapman *

22. Tom Seabrook *

23. Jake Morris *

*Denotes Academy player or graduate from the Gloucester Rugby Academy