The Cherry and Whites are on the road this weekend, with another crucial Gallagher Premiership clash against fellow play-off chasers Northampton Saints on Sunday afternoon in Round 18 (KO 3pm)
The Cherry and Whites have picked up four wins in their last five games, and head to Franklin’s Gardens to take on a dangerous Saints team in fine fettle themselves.
Here are some players to keep an eye on this weekend.
Ruan Ackermann
The back row battle will be fierce this weekend, and the South African has been in fine form for the Cherry and Whites in recent weeks. A try-scorer in his last two outings, Ackermann will be keen to continue this hot streak at the Gardens this weekend.
Rory Hutchinson
The February Gallagher Premiership player of the month has been in fine form for the Saints, and been a stand out in both domestic and European competition. A danger in broken play, and a second playmaker, the youngster is definitely a man to keep quiet this weekend.
Last Time Out
Gloucester Rugby 27-14 Wasps
Leicester Tigers 15-29 Northampton Saints
Match Facts
Northampton Saints only victory in the last three rounds of Gallagher Premiership Rugby came in their most recent match at Leicester on 22 March. The Saints have been defeated just once in any tournament at Franklin’s Gardens since early December; 24-26 to Bristol in Round 16 of Gallagher Premiership Rugby.
Gloucester Rugby have lost just once in the last five rounds of Gallagher Premiership Rugby: 24-28 at Bristol on 1 March. The Cherry & Whites have won their last two matches in the competition but have not won three in a row since December 2017. Gloucester’s three away wins in Premiership Rugby this season were at Wasps in round 6 Newcastle in round 10 and Harlequins in Round 16.
Gloucester’s only two victories over Northampton in Premiership Rugby since 2013 were both at Kingsholm, the Cherry & Whites have not been won at Franklin’s Gardens since February 2013.
Team News
Northampton Saints
15. George Furbank, 14. Ahsee Tuala, , 13. Rory Hutchinson, 12. Piers Francis, 11. Taqele Naiyaravoro, 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Cobus Reinach; 1. Francois van Wyk, 2. Reece Marshall, 3. Paul Hill; 4. Alex Moon, 5. Courtney Lawes; 6. Lewis Ludlam, 7. Heinrich Brussow, 8. Teimana Harrison
Replacements
16. Darren Dawidiuk, 17. Alex Waller, 18. Ben Franks; 19. Api Ratuniyarawa, 20. Jamie Gibson; 21 Alex Mitchell, 22. Luther Burrell, 23. Ken Pisi
Gloucester Rugby
15. Tom Hudson; 14. Matt Banahan, 13. Billy Twelvetrees, 12. Mark Atkinson, 11. Charlie Sharples; 10. Danny Cipriani, 9. Willi Heinz (capt); 1. Josh Hohneck, 2. Franco Marais, 3. Fraser Balmain; 4. Ed Slater, 5. Franco Mostert; 6. Ruan Ackermann, 7. Jaco Kriel, 8. Ben Morgan
Replacements:
16. Mike Sherry, 17. Val Rapava Ruskin, 18. Ruan Dreyer, 19. Tom Savage, 20. Freddie Clarke, 21. Jake Polledri, 22. Callum Braley, 23. Tom Seabrook
Match Officials
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys (61st Premiership game)
Assistant referees: Matthew O’Grady and Paul Dix
TMO: David Grashoff, Citing officer: James Hall
How To Follow
This Sunday’s game is live on BT Sport, and there will be live commentary via BBC Radio Gloucestershire who will in place at Franklin’s Gardens.
Follow all of the club channels for live updates on the matchday live blog, Twitter and behind the scenes on Instagram.
Enjoy the game!
The Cherry and Whites have picked up four wins in their last five games, and head to Franklin’s Gardens to take on a dangerous Saints team in fine fettle themselves.
Here are some players to keep an eye on this weekend.
Ruan Ackermann
The back row battle will be fierce this weekend, and the South African has been in fine form for the Cherry and Whites in recent weeks. A try-scorer in his last two outings, Ackermann will be keen to continue this hot streak at the Gardens this weekend.
Rory Hutchinson
The February Gallagher Premiership player of the month has been in fine form for the Saints, and been a stand out in both domestic and European competition. A danger in broken play, and a second playmaker, the youngster is definitely a man to keep quiet this weekend.
Last Time Out
Gloucester Rugby 27-14 Wasps
Leicester Tigers 15-29 Northampton Saints
Match Facts
Northampton Saints only victory in the last three rounds of Gallagher Premiership Rugby came in their most recent match at Leicester on 22 March. The Saints have been defeated just once in any tournament at Franklin’s Gardens since early December; 24-26 to Bristol in Round 16 of Gallagher Premiership Rugby.
Gloucester Rugby have lost just once in the last five rounds of Gallagher Premiership Rugby: 24-28 at Bristol on 1 March. The Cherry & Whites have won their last two matches in the competition but have not won three in a row since December 2017. Gloucester’s three away wins in Premiership Rugby this season were at Wasps in round 6 Newcastle in round 10 and Harlequins in Round 16.
Gloucester’s only two victories over Northampton in Premiership Rugby since 2013 were both at Kingsholm, the Cherry & Whites have not been won at Franklin’s Gardens since February 2013.
Team News
Northampton Saints
15. George Furbank, 14. Ahsee Tuala, , 13. Rory Hutchinson, 12. Piers Francis, 11. Taqele Naiyaravoro, 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Cobus Reinach; 1. Francois van Wyk, 2. Reece Marshall, 3. Paul Hill; 4. Alex Moon, 5. Courtney Lawes; 6. Lewis Ludlam, 7. Heinrich Brussow, 8. Teimana Harrison
Replacements
16. Darren Dawidiuk, 17. Alex Waller, 18. Ben Franks; 19. Api Ratuniyarawa, 20. Jamie Gibson; 21 Alex Mitchell, 22. Luther Burrell, 23. Ken Pisi
Gloucester Rugby
15. Tom Hudson; 14. Matt Banahan, 13. Billy Twelvetrees, 12. Mark Atkinson, 11. Charlie Sharples; 10. Danny Cipriani, 9. Willi Heinz (capt); 1. Josh Hohneck, 2. Franco Marais, 3. Fraser Balmain; 4. Ed Slater, 5. Franco Mostert; 6. Ruan Ackermann, 7. Jaco Kriel, 8. Ben Morgan
Replacements:
16. Mike Sherry, 17. Val Rapava Ruskin, 18. Ruan Dreyer, 19. Tom Savage, 20. Freddie Clarke, 21. Jake Polledri, 22. Callum Braley, 23. Tom Seabrook
Match Officials
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys (61st Premiership game)
Assistant referees: Matthew O’Grady and Paul Dix
TMO: David Grashoff, Citing officer: James Hall
How To Follow
This Sunday’s game is live on BT Sport, and there will be live commentary via BBC Radio Gloucestershire who will in place at Franklin’s Gardens.
Follow all of the club channels for live updates on the matchday live blog, Twitter and behind the scenes on Instagram.
Enjoy the game!
