The penultimate game of a dramatic domestic season is here, as the Cherry and Whites prepare to take on Newcastle Falcons in Round 21 of the Gallagher Premiership in the final home game of the campaign (KO 3pm).
With play-off rugby secured, the Cherry and Whites will have their focus on securing third spot in the table, their highest finish since the 2010 season.
Here are some players to keep an eye on this weekend.
Ben Morgan
The number eight has been putting in a number of barnstorming performances in recent weeks, and tops the Gallagher Premiership carry charts with 260. Morgan is nominated for the Premiership Player of the Month and will want to lead from the front as captain this weekend.
Sinoti Sinoti
The Samoan with the dazzling feet has been one of the stars of the English domestic game for a number of years, and his ability to make something out of nothing will be at the front of the Cherry and Whites’ mind this weekend.
Last Time Out
Worcester Warriors 27-20 Gloucester Rugby
Newcastle Falcons 17-31 Northampton Saints
Match Facts
Gloucester’s 20-27 defeat at Worcester on Sunday ended a four-game winning run. The Cherry & Whites have won their last four encounters at Kingsholm in Premiership Rugby but have not won five in a row at the famous venue since February 2018.
Newcastle Falcons have slipped to three straight defeats in Premiership Rugby since beating Sale 22-17 in ‘The Big One’ at St James’ Park on 23 March. The Tynesiders have won only once away from home in Gallagher Premiership Rugby since December, and that was by a single point at Wasps in round 16.
The last three matches between the two clubs in Premiership Rugby have all been won by the away side on the day. Newcastle have won on their last two visits to Kingsholm in the tournament – the only opposing side to have won three in a row at the famous venue being Bath with five successive wins between 2014 and 2018.
Team News
Gloucester Rugby
15. Jason Woodward, 14. Charlie Sharples, 13. Billy Twelvetrees, 12. Mark Atkinson, 11. Matt Banahan; 10. Danny Cipriani, 9. Callum Braley; 1. Josh Hohneck, 2. Franco Marais, 3. Fraser Balmain; 4. Ed Slater, 5. Franco Mostert; 6. Ruan Ackermann, 7. Jaco Kriel, 8. Ben Morgan (capt)
Replacements:
16. Mike Sherry, 17. Val Rapava Ruskin, 18. Ruan Dreyer, 19. Lewis Ludlow, 20. Jake Polledri; 21. Ben Vellacott, 22. Lloyd Evans, 23. Henry Purdy
Newcastle Falcons
15. Alex Tait, 14. Zach Kibirige, 13. Alex Dunbar, 12. Johnny Williams, 11. Sinoti Sinoti; 10. Toby Flood (capt), 9. Michael Young; 1. Logovi’I Mulipola, 2. George McGuigan, 3. Rodney Ah You; 4. Callum Green, 5. Sean Robinson, 6. Callum Chick 7. Gary Graham, 8. Nemani Nagusa
Replacements.
16. Santiago Socino, 17. Sam Lockwood, 18. Trevor Davison, 19. Will Witty, 20. Jamie Blamire, 21. Sam Stuart, 22. Tim Swiel, 23. George Wacokecoke
Match Officials
Referee: Tom Foley (66th Premiership game).
Assistant Referees: Jack Makepeace & Simon McConnell.
TMO: Keith Lewis. Citing Officer: James Hall.
How To Follow
This Saturday’s game is not live on TV, but there will be live commentary via BBC Radio Gloucestershire who will in place at Kingsholm Stadium.
Follow all of the club channels for live updates on the Match Commentary on the Gloucester Rugby App, matchday live blog on the club website, Twitter and behind the scenes on Instagram.
Enjoy the game!
With play-off rugby secured, the Cherry and Whites will have their focus on securing third spot in the table, their highest finish since the 2010 season.
Here are some players to keep an eye on this weekend.
Ben Morgan
The number eight has been putting in a number of barnstorming performances in recent weeks, and tops the Gallagher Premiership carry charts with 260. Morgan is nominated for the Premiership Player of the Month and will want to lead from the front as captain this weekend.
Sinoti Sinoti
The Samoan with the dazzling feet has been one of the stars of the English domestic game for a number of years, and his ability to make something out of nothing will be at the front of the Cherry and Whites’ mind this weekend.
Last Time Out
Worcester Warriors 27-20 Gloucester Rugby
Newcastle Falcons 17-31 Northampton Saints
Match Facts
Gloucester’s 20-27 defeat at Worcester on Sunday ended a four-game winning run. The Cherry & Whites have won their last four encounters at Kingsholm in Premiership Rugby but have not won five in a row at the famous venue since February 2018.
Newcastle Falcons have slipped to three straight defeats in Premiership Rugby since beating Sale 22-17 in ‘The Big One’ at St James’ Park on 23 March. The Tynesiders have won only once away from home in Gallagher Premiership Rugby since December, and that was by a single point at Wasps in round 16.
The last three matches between the two clubs in Premiership Rugby have all been won by the away side on the day. Newcastle have won on their last two visits to Kingsholm in the tournament – the only opposing side to have won three in a row at the famous venue being Bath with five successive wins between 2014 and 2018.
Team News
Gloucester Rugby
15. Jason Woodward, 14. Charlie Sharples, 13. Billy Twelvetrees, 12. Mark Atkinson, 11. Matt Banahan; 10. Danny Cipriani, 9. Callum Braley; 1. Josh Hohneck, 2. Franco Marais, 3. Fraser Balmain; 4. Ed Slater, 5. Franco Mostert; 6. Ruan Ackermann, 7. Jaco Kriel, 8. Ben Morgan (capt)
Replacements:
16. Mike Sherry, 17. Val Rapava Ruskin, 18. Ruan Dreyer, 19. Lewis Ludlow, 20. Jake Polledri; 21. Ben Vellacott, 22. Lloyd Evans, 23. Henry Purdy
Newcastle Falcons
15. Alex Tait, 14. Zach Kibirige, 13. Alex Dunbar, 12. Johnny Williams, 11. Sinoti Sinoti; 10. Toby Flood (capt), 9. Michael Young; 1. Logovi’I Mulipola, 2. George McGuigan, 3. Rodney Ah You; 4. Callum Green, 5. Sean Robinson, 6. Callum Chick 7. Gary Graham, 8. Nemani Nagusa
Replacements.
16. Santiago Socino, 17. Sam Lockwood, 18. Trevor Davison, 19. Will Witty, 20. Jamie Blamire, 21. Sam Stuart, 22. Tim Swiel, 23. George Wacokecoke
Match Officials
Referee: Tom Foley (66th Premiership game).
Assistant Referees: Jack Makepeace & Simon McConnell.
TMO: Keith Lewis. Citing Officer: James Hall.
How To Follow
This Saturday’s game is not live on TV, but there will be live commentary via BBC Radio Gloucestershire who will in place at Kingsholm Stadium.
Follow all of the club channels for live updates on the Match Commentary on the Gloucester Rugby App, matchday live blog on the club website, Twitter and behind the scenes on Instagram.
Enjoy the game!
