The Cherry and Whites face one of the Gallagher Premiership’s toughest tests this weekend, as they travel to also-unbeaten Champions Saracens this Sunday (KO 3pm)
After a dominant second half performance last time out against Bristol Bears, the Cherry and Whites will be looking to take this form to Allianz Park for a mouth-watering clash to end the Round Four weekend.
Here are a number of players to watch this Sunday.
Callum Braley
The scrum half has really sparked the Cherry and White backline, and up against an experienced Saracens’ side, Gloucester will be looking for their game management to be spot on. Braley’s link-up with Danny Cipriani has been impressive so far this season, and the backline will be keen to attack on the firm ground of Allianz Park.
Gerbrandt Grobler
The forward battle will be a key area this weekend, and the big South African lock will be looking to build on his debut try last time out against Bristol Bears. A big presence round the park, and a threat in the air at line out time, Saracens will no doubt be keeping a close eye on the second row who makes his second start in Cherry and White.
Richard Wigglesworth
The Saracens’ scrum half becomes the Gallagher Premiership’s record appearance maker this weekend, and what an achievement. A stalwart of the English game, he is still at the top of his game.
Michael Rhodes
The powerful forward received his first call-up into the England squad this week, after several seasons of standout performances for Saracens. Capable of playing in the second row or the back row, he is a man to keep an eye on this weekend.
Match Stats
Saracens have won their last ten Gallagher Premiership Rugby matches, scoring four or more tries in each of the last nine, since Exeter beat them at Sandy Park in March. Saracens most recent defeat at Allianz Park in Premiership Rugby was at home to Leicester Tigers in February.
Gloucester are unbeaten after the first three rounds of Gallagher Premiership Rugby, their best start to a campaign since 2007/08. Gloucester’s only victory on the road since November in Premiership Rugby was 33-29 at London Irish in March.
The last five encounters between the two clubs have all been won by the home side on the day whilst Gloucester’s most recent victory on Saracens turf was at Vicarage Road in November 2008.
Last Time Out
Gloucester Rugby 35-13 Bristol Bears
Northampton Saints 27-38 Saracens
Last Three
17 Feb 17 – Gloucester Rugby 31-23 Saracens
17 Nov 17 – Gloucester Rugby 23-17 Saracens
5 May 18 – Saracens 62-12 Gloucester Rugby
Team News
Saracens
15. Liam Williams, 14. David Strettle, 13. Nick Tompkins, 12. Brad Barritt, 11. Sean Maitland, 10. Owen Farrell, 9. Richard Wigglesworth; 1. Mako Vunipola, 2. Jamie George, 3. Vincent Koch; 4. George Kruis, 5. Will Skelton; 6. Maro Itoje, 7. Michael Rhodes, 8. Ben Earl.
Replacements
16. Christopher Tolofua, 17. Richard Barrington, 18. Titi Lamositele, 19. Nick Isiekwe, 20. Schalk Burger; 21. Ben Spencer, 22. Alex Lozowski, 23. Alex Goode
Gloucester Rugby
15.Jason Woodward, 14. Charlie Sharples, 13. Henry Trinder, 12. Billy Twelvetrees, 11. Matt Banahan, 10. Danny Cipriani, 9. Callum Braley 1. Josh Hohneck, 2. Franco Marais, 3. Fraser Balmain; 4. Ed Slater (c), 5. Gerbrandt Grobler, 6. Jake Polledri, 7. Lewis Ludlow, 8. Ruan Ackermann
Replacements
16. James Hanson, 17. Val Rapava-Ruskin, 18. Ciaran Knight; 19. Freddie Clarke, 20. Ben Morgan; 21. Ben Vellacott, 22. Mark Atkinson, 23. Tom Hudson
Match Officials
Referee: Christophe Ridley (8th Premiership game)
Assistant Referees: Paul Dix & Rob Warburton. TMO: Trevor Fisher
Citing Officer: Danae Zamboulis
How To Follow
This Sunday’s game is Live on BT Sport from 2:30pm, and there will be live commentary via BBC Radio Gloucestershire who will in place at Allianz Park
Follow all of the club channels for live updates on the matchday live blog, Twitter and behind the scenes on Instagram.
Enjoy the game!
After a dominant second half performance last time out against Bristol Bears, the Cherry and Whites will be looking to take this form to Allianz Park for a mouth-watering clash to end the Round Four weekend.
Here are a number of players to watch this Sunday.
Callum Braley
The scrum half has really sparked the Cherry and White backline, and up against an experienced Saracens’ side, Gloucester will be looking for their game management to be spot on. Braley’s link-up with Danny Cipriani has been impressive so far this season, and the backline will be keen to attack on the firm ground of Allianz Park.
Gerbrandt Grobler
The forward battle will be a key area this weekend, and the big South African lock will be looking to build on his debut try last time out against Bristol Bears. A big presence round the park, and a threat in the air at line out time, Saracens will no doubt be keeping a close eye on the second row who makes his second start in Cherry and White.
Richard Wigglesworth
The Saracens’ scrum half becomes the Gallagher Premiership’s record appearance maker this weekend, and what an achievement. A stalwart of the English game, he is still at the top of his game.
Michael Rhodes
The powerful forward received his first call-up into the England squad this week, after several seasons of standout performances for Saracens. Capable of playing in the second row or the back row, he is a man to keep an eye on this weekend.
Match Stats
Saracens have won their last ten Gallagher Premiership Rugby matches, scoring four or more tries in each of the last nine, since Exeter beat them at Sandy Park in March. Saracens most recent defeat at Allianz Park in Premiership Rugby was at home to Leicester Tigers in February.
Gloucester are unbeaten after the first three rounds of Gallagher Premiership Rugby, their best start to a campaign since 2007/08. Gloucester’s only victory on the road since November in Premiership Rugby was 33-29 at London Irish in March.
The last five encounters between the two clubs have all been won by the home side on the day whilst Gloucester’s most recent victory on Saracens turf was at Vicarage Road in November 2008.
Last Time Out
Gloucester Rugby 35-13 Bristol Bears
Northampton Saints 27-38 Saracens
Last Three
17 Feb 17 – Gloucester Rugby 31-23 Saracens
17 Nov 17 – Gloucester Rugby 23-17 Saracens
5 May 18 – Saracens 62-12 Gloucester Rugby
Team News
Saracens
15. Liam Williams, 14. David Strettle, 13. Nick Tompkins, 12. Brad Barritt, 11. Sean Maitland, 10. Owen Farrell, 9. Richard Wigglesworth; 1. Mako Vunipola, 2. Jamie George, 3. Vincent Koch; 4. George Kruis, 5. Will Skelton; 6. Maro Itoje, 7. Michael Rhodes, 8. Ben Earl.
Replacements
16. Christopher Tolofua, 17. Richard Barrington, 18. Titi Lamositele, 19. Nick Isiekwe, 20. Schalk Burger; 21. Ben Spencer, 22. Alex Lozowski, 23. Alex Goode
Gloucester Rugby
15.Jason Woodward, 14. Charlie Sharples, 13. Henry Trinder, 12. Billy Twelvetrees, 11. Matt Banahan, 10. Danny Cipriani, 9. Callum Braley 1. Josh Hohneck, 2. Franco Marais, 3. Fraser Balmain; 4. Ed Slater (c), 5. Gerbrandt Grobler, 6. Jake Polledri, 7. Lewis Ludlow, 8. Ruan Ackermann
Replacements
16. James Hanson, 17. Val Rapava-Ruskin, 18. Ciaran Knight; 19. Freddie Clarke, 20. Ben Morgan; 21. Ben Vellacott, 22. Mark Atkinson, 23. Tom Hudson
Match Officials
Referee: Christophe Ridley (8th Premiership game)
Assistant Referees: Paul Dix & Rob Warburton. TMO: Trevor Fisher
Citing Officer: Danae Zamboulis
How To Follow
This Sunday’s game is Live on BT Sport from 2:30pm, and there will be live commentary via BBC Radio Gloucestershire who will in place at Allianz Park
Follow all of the club channels for live updates on the matchday live blog, Twitter and behind the scenes on Instagram.
Enjoy the game!
