Ackerman and Evans return for Gloucester

The Gloucester Rugby side to face Bristol Bears in a crunch West Country derby at Ashton Gate tomorrow afternoon has been revealed.

Director of Rugby, George Skivington, has been boosted by the return of Ruan Ackermann and Lloyd Evans from injury, a welcome return for both.

Up front, Santiago Socino starts at hooker, with Mayco Vivas and Fraser Balmain continuing at props.

Arthur Clark, takes Freddie Clarke's place in the boiler house, joining Argentine Matias Alemanno.

Ackermann is joined in the back-row by Club captain, Lewis Ludlow, and Gloucester Rugby Academy graduate, Jack Clement.

Stephen Varney failed a late fitness test in the warm up last weekend, but he returns to the side this week, where he joins Santiago Carreras, who switches from full back to fly-half.

Mark Atkinson starts in the centre, with summer signing Max Llewellyn coming in for Chris Harris outside him.

Full back, Evans, combines with Ollie Thorley and Louis Rees-Zammit in the back three.

George McGuigan, Freddie Clarke and Micky Young all started against Leicester Tigers last weekend, they drop to the bench for the trip to the Gate.

Harry Elrington, Jamal Ford-Robinson, Ben Donnell, Louis Hillman-Cooper and Josh Hathaway complete the replacements.

Tickets for the fixture can be purchased here.

Team News

15. Lloyd Evans*

14. Louis Rees-Zammit*

13. Max Llewellyn

12. Mark Atkinson

11. Ollie Thorley*

10. Santi Carreras

9. Stephen Varney*

1. Mayco Vivas

2. Santi Socino

3. Fraser Balmain

4. Arthur Clark*

5. Matias Alemanno

6. Ruan Ackermann

7. Lewis Ludlow* (C)

8. Jack Clement*

Replacements

16. George McGuigan

17. Harry Elrington

18. Jamal Ford-Robinson

19. Freddie Clarke*

20. Ben Donnell

21. Micky Young

22. Louis Hillman-Cooper*

23. Josh Hathaway*

*Denotes academy player or graduate.

Unavailable for selection

Zach Mercer

Val Rapava-Ruskin

Adam Hastings

Albert Tuisue

Caolan Englefield

Alex Seville