GLOUCESTER V EDINBURGH: CHALLENGE CUP PREVIEW

Gloucester Rugby host Edinburgh Rugby at Kingsholm in the first game of the Club's European Rugby Challenge cup campaign on Friday 6th December.

After falling at the final hurdle last season, the Cherry & Whites are looking to go one better this year and win the Challenge Cup trophy, which would be third European title for the Club.

Drawn in Pool 3 for the 2024/25 European Rugby Challenge Cup, alongside French sides, Vannes & Bayonne, United Rugby Championship teams, Scarlets & Edinburgh Rugby and Invitational club, Black Lion from Georgia. The top four sides will qualify for the knock-out stages of the competition, along with four teams who drop down from the Investec Champions Cup.

The Cherry & Whites have named a strong matchday squad to take on the Scottish side under the lights.

After a Player of the Match performance in last weekend's win over English champions, Northampton Saints, Santi Carreras retains his sport at full back, with Christian Wade on the right wing. On the opposite side of the field, Josh Hathaway comes into the squad for Ollie Thorley, who misses out with an injury sustained at Franklin's Gardens.

Charis Harrias comes into the midfield alongside Max Llewellyn, with the Welshman switching from 13 to 12. The half-back pairing of Gareth Anscombe and Caolan Englefield remains unchanged.

Up front, Seb Blake and Kirill Gotovtsev join Val Rapava-Ruskin in the front row, with Matias Alemanno coming into the second row alongside Arthur Clark. Alemanno's inclusion means Freddie Thomas shifts to the back row, where he combines with Ruan Ackermann and skipper, Lewis Ludlow.

On the bench, there's a potential debut for new signing Will Butler, he covers the backs alongside Charlie Chapman and George Barton, with the latter making a return form injury.

In reserve for the forwards are Jack Singleton, Ciaran Knight, Afo Fasogbon, Harry Taylor and Albert Tuisue.​

Starting XV

1. Val Rapava-Ruskin
2. Seb Blake
3. Kirill Gotovtsev
4. Arthur Clark
5. Matias Alemanno
6. Freddie Thomas
7. Lewis Ludlow (c)
8. Ruan Ackermann
9. Caolan Englefield
10. Gareth Anscombe
11. Josh Hathaway
12. Max Llewellyn
13. Chris Harris
14. Christian Wade
15. Santi Carreras

Replacements

16. Jack Singleton
17. Ciaran Knight
18. Afo Fasogbon
19. Harry Taylor
20. Albert Tuisue
21. Charlie Chapman
22. Will Butler
23. George Barton

Next weekend, a new challenge awaits as Gloucester head to northwest France to take on newly promoted side RC Vannes. The French side defeated Grenoble to take their place in the Top 14 for the first time ever. Gloucester’s trip to Stade de la Rabine will take place on Saturday 14 December, 6:30pm kick-off.

For all tickets, hospitality and further info, visit www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk

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