Gloucester Rugby team named to face Edinburgh
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With one victory and one defeat in their Investec Champions Cup pool so far, George Skivington has named a strong Gloucester Rugby side to head to Edinburgh this weekend in a crunch match in the competition. A win on Scottish soil would put the Cherry & Whites in a commanding position going into the final round of pool stage fixtures next weekend.
With injuries continuing to be an issue, on loan Hartpury RFC hooker Will Crane is set for a Champions Cup debut in the number 2 shirt. He'll be flanked by two experienced props in Val Rapava Ruskin and Nepo Laulala.
With Arthur Clark copping a suspension after last weekend's game against Newcastle, Matias Alemanno comes into the second row to partner Freddie Thomas.
The back row of Deian Gwynne, Lewis Ludlow and Jack Clement remains unchanged, with the latter signing a fresh Kingsholm deal in the week.
Tomos Williams still hasn't recovered from a leg injury, which saw him pull out of last weekend's fixture at Newcastle, so Mikey Austin retains his spot at scrum-half. He's partnered with Charlie Atkinson, who shifts from full back.
In midfield, Will Butler returns from an injury to join captain, Seb Atkinson, with Josh Hathaway, Jack Cotgreave and George Barton completing the side.
Champions Cup debuts await George Knowles and Rhys Price on the bench, with Ciaran Knight, Afo Fasogbon, Cam Jordan, James Venter, Ross Byrne and Jake Morris also named as replacements.
Gloucester Rugby matchday squad
15 George Barton
14 Jack Cotgreave
13 Will Butler
12 Seb Atkinson (C)
11 Josh Hathaway
10 Charlie Atkinson
9 Mikey Austin
1 Val Rapava Ruskin
2 Will Crane*
3 Nepo Laulala
4 Freddie Thomas
5 Matias Alemanno
6 Deian Gwynne
7 Lewis Ludlow
8 Jack Clement
16 George Knowles
17 Ciaran Knight
18 Afo Fasogbon
19 Cam Jordan
20 James Venter
21 Rhys Price
22 Ross Byrne
23 Jake Morris
*Denotes loan player.
Unavailable for selection
Seb Blake, Arthur Clark, Josiah Edwards Giraud, Caolan Englefield, Jack Innard, Will Joseph, Max Llewellyn, Ben Loader, Ben Redshaw, Rob Russell, Jack Singleton, Ollie Thorley.
