Henry Trinder will play his 100th Aviva Premiership match this Saturday when Gloucester take on Harlequins at Kingsholm. Gloucester currently lie in seventh place, five points behind the last play-off spot.
Henry Trinder 100th appearance, as Hibbard misses out
Richard Hibbard remains out through illness, so James Hanson retains his spot; despite having a tough time against Exeter last weekend. He’ll have a big game in the front row as Harlequins go full strength in their bid to climb up the table.
Jason Woodward has passed his concussion protocol and replaces Tom Hudson at full back. He’ll look to attack the Quins backline, as Gloucester go in search of the bonus point needed to chase the play-off spot.
Henry Trinder (see main photo) makes his 100th Premiership appearance on the left wing instead of Tom Marshall and Billy Twelvetrees returns to the midfield at outside centre. Trinder will be delighted to have reached this milestone in light of his significant injury issues over the last few years.
Ed Slater captains the side and will be alongside former-All Black Jeremy Thrush. Jake Polledri returns to the back row in place of Ruan Ackermann, who drops to the bench.
? TEAM NEWS
Here is the @Gloucesterrugby team to face @harlequins at Kingsholm in a crucial @premrugby clash this Saturday (KO 3pm) #GLOvHAR pic.twitter.com/QLDTzUHHGT
— Gloucester Rugby (@gloucesterrugby) April 13, 2018
Elsewhere, Callum Braley starts at scrum half and will be partnered by Billy Burns at outside half. These two form a new-look half-back pairing (due to missing injury absentees Willi Heinz and Owen Williams).
Harlequins name strong squad to face the Cherry and Whites
Mike Brown, Jamie Roberts and Danny Care are amongst the Quins backs set to take on Gloucester. They will want to overturn a two game losing streak in the Aviva Premiership, following a loss to Saracens away. Their last was a hammering by London Irish; a result that saw Director of Rugby John Kingston lose his post at the conclusion of this season.
Joe Marler, Joe Gray and Kyle Sinckler start in the front row and will pose a real tough threat for Gloucester, as well as posing a real menace around the park. Flankers Chris Robshaw and Jack Clifford will be a danger around the flanks, complimented with Sinckler having a moving ability at the breakdown.
Luke Wallace is amongst the replacements. Five changes in total, to the starting 15 from last week’s embarrassment. Will this be the motivating factor that the Harlequins desire?
? TEAM NEWS | Here is your Harlequins squad to face Gloucester Rugby in Round 20 of @premrugby
? Full story https://t.co/VKxyeHaZVc #GLOvHAR pic.twitter.com/9SQDCesB5B
— Harlequins ? (@Harlequins) April 13, 2018
Gloucester need all five points to keep Play-off hopes alive
With Bath (home) and Saracens (away) coming up, it’s fair to say that Gloucester will need at least a solid win, from this weekend’s tie. They probably require a try bonus point too–considering the standings. Entering the game five points adrift in seventh place means they have the most ground to make up, of the contenders.
Whilst Quins languish down in ninth, they too will want a strong end to the season to close the gap to that important ‘top eight’ group. Falling down any further, will only rub salt into the wound cut by John Kingston’s banishment.
? TEAM NEWS
Here is the @Gloucesterrugby team to face @harlequins at Kingsholm in a crucial @premrugby clash this Saturday (KO 3pm) #GLOvHAR pic.twitter.com/QLDTzUHHGT
— Gloucester Rugby (@gloucesterrugby) 13 April 2018
? TEAM NEWS | Here is your Harlequins squad to face Gloucester Rugby in Round 20 of @premrugby
? Full story https://t.co/VKxyeHaZVc #GLOvHAR pic.twitter.com/9SQDCesB5B
— Harlequins ? (@Harlequins) 13 April 2018
Reporter Robert Rees will be at Kingsholm, for Gloucester vs Harlequins fixture this weekend. Stay tuned to Last Word on Rugby for further analysis of this match, and all the 2017/18 Aviva Premiership action.
Main image credit:
Embed from Getty Images
