Bristol Bears prowl Kingsholm in search of victory over Cherry & Whites

Pat Lam’s Bristol Bears face a tough challenge this weekend as they take the field at Kingsholm to face the Cherry & Whites. 

Bristol will have a point to prove after taking a heavy loss in Round 5 against Exeter Chiefs: 

Gloucester will take the field with confidence after victory over Bath last weekend: 

Gloucester Rugby Team News: 

There are three changes in the starting XV from Gloucester's derby victory over Bath at the Rec last weekend. 

Jonny May comes in for Lloyd Evans in the back-three with Santiago Carreras shifting from wing to fullback. Louis Rees-Zammit completes the back-three 

Giorgi Kveseladze moves from 13 to 12 with British & Irish Lion Chris Harris replacing Mark Atkinson, who will miss the remainder of the season with a significant knee injury. 

Adam Hastings and Ben Meehan maintain their positions at half-backs. 

Val Rapava-Ruskin and Fraser Balmain are the props with Jack Singleton replacing Santiago Socino at hooker. 

Freddie Clarke, who plays his first game at Kingsholm since signing a new contract is joined by Matias Alemanno, who scored two tries against Bath. 

In the back-row captain Lewis Ludlow starts on the open-side again. Player of the match against Bath, Ruan Ackermann moves to number 8 with Jordy Reid coming in at six. 

On the bench, Santiago Socino, Harry Elrington and Ciaran Knight cover the front row. Cam Jordan, Albert Tuisue, Stephen Varney, Jack Reeves and Lloyd Evans complete the team. 

Gloucester Rugby Team News: 

There are three changes in the starting XV from Gloucester's derby victory over Bath at the Rec last weekend. 

Jonny May comes in for Lloyd Evans in the back-three with Santiago Carreras shifting from wing to fullback. Louis Rees-Zammit completes the back-three. 

Giorgi Kveseladze moves from 13 to 12 with British & Irish Lion Chris Harris replacing Mark Atkinson, who will miss the remainder of the season with a significant knee injury. 

Adam Hastings and Ben Meehan maintain their positions at half-backs. 

Val Rapava-Ruskin and Fraser Balmain are the props with Jack Singleton replacing Santiago Socino at hooker. 

Freddie Clarke, who plays his first game at Kingsholm since signing a new contract is joined by Matias Alemanno, who scored two tries against Bath. 

In the back-row captain Lewis Ludlow starts on the open-side again. Player of the match against Bath, Ruan Ackermann moves to number 8 with Jordy Reid coming in at six. 

On the bench, Santiago Socino, Harry Elrington and Ciaran Knight cover the front row. Cam Jordan, Albert Tuisue, Stephen Varney, Jack Reeves and Lloyd Evans complete the team. 

Match insights:

Gloucester Rugby 

• Gloucester have struggled to manufacture much fluidity in their attack, beating a league-low 38 defenders so far this season. They have also made the fewest clean breaks (16). 
• The Cherry and Whites’ scrum remains steadfast this season. They are yet to lose a scrum against the head, boasting an impressive 100% success rate on their own ball. 
• The Gloucester back row put their bodies on the line to earn a victory against West-country rivals, Bath, in round five. Lewis Ludlow and Ruan Ackermann made more tackles individually than any other players last weekend, making 23 and 21 respectively. Ackermann also won three turnovers, as many as any other player. 
• Gloucester have driven three mauls over the whitewash so far this season – more than any team other than Bath (five). They have also been awarded a penalty try as a result of an opposition infringement at the maul. 

Bristol Bears 

• The Bears have spent long periods of time without the ball so far this season, making more tackles per 80 minutes than any other team in the Premiership (165.4). Back row duo Jake Heenan and Magnus Bradbury have made more tackles than any other individuals in the league (66, 64). 
• Enduring a frustrating start to his season, Kyle Sinckler has given away more penalties than any other player, getting pinged by the referee 11 times. Five of these penalties have been at scrum time, four at the ruck and two for being offside. 
• Charles Piutau has made 11 offloads so far this season – more than any other player in the league. 
• Despite bringing his trademark passion and power to the Bears this season, Ellis Genge’s discipline was poor last weekend. Not only was he shown a yellow card, but he conceded a round-high six penalties. 

Historical 

• Gloucester have won just one match in their last seven against the Bears. 
• Gloucester have won the last three Premiership matches that they’ve played at home. However, Bristol Bears have travelled well in recent times, winning all but one of their five most recent away matches.