RugbyRebels

Gloucester Rugby:

15. Tom Marshall; 14. Charlie Sharples, 13. Billy Twelvetrees, 12. Andy Symons, 11. David Halaifonua; 10. Billy Burns, 9. Ben Vellacott; 1. Josh Hohneck, 2. James Hanson, 3. John Afoa; 4. Tom Savage (capt), 5. Jeremy Thrush; 6. Ruan Ackermann, 7. Lewis Ludlow, 8. Ben Morgan

Replacements:

16. Richard Hibbard, 17. Cameron Orr, 18. Fraser Balmain, 19. Ed Slater, 20. Freddie Clarke, 21. Callum Braley, 22. Henry Trinder, 23. Jason Woodward

Unavailable for selection:

Gareth Denman, Tom Denton, Gareth Evans, Willi Heinz, Paddy McAllister, Ross Moriarty, Val Rapava Ruskin, Jacob Rowan

Sale:-

Team: 15. James O'Connor; 14. Denny Solomona, 13. Sam James, 12. Rohan Janse Van Rensburg, 11.Byron McGuigan; 10. AJ MacGinty, 9. Faf De Klerk; 1. Ross Harrison, 2. Rob Webber, 3.WillGriff John, 4. Bryn Evans, 5. Andrei Ostrikov, 6. Jono Ross, 7. Ben Curry, 8. Josh Strauss.

Replacements: 16. Marc Jones, 17.James Flynn, 18. Halani Aulika, 19. George Nott, 20. Cameron Neild, 21. Will Cliff, 22. Mike Haley, 23. Marland Yarde.

Trinder is a far better 13 than Billy. Presume Slater is just getting a breather.

Are those really Ackermann’s First choice centres? Or is that being dictated by injury?

I know Trinder was looking good again before another injury. Is he fully fit?

Any idea on Matt Scott? He’s not listed as injured but can’t have had many games back. Not Ackerman’s thing perhaps? He was on fire last season, just curious if this one is purely down to injury or not.

Banquo wrote:Trinder is a far better 13 than Billy. Presume Slater is just getting a breather.

From what I gather they are being very careful with Trinder after a little niggle. Quite sensible if so, and yeah 36 at 13 vs Trinder is no contest.

It's an interesting selection for sure in the centres.... Trinder is being nursed back slowly from a niggle, Matt Scott has had next to no game time, mostly due to injury, and others have shown up well in his absence, would expect to see him back soon though. 36 seems to be the mainstay currently, he has been having a far better season than last, not without his brain farts still tho. Glos defended very well with 36 and Symons in the centres for a few games in succession, I'm wondering if that is all that Ackerman is thinking about for this game at home. Thorley is a far better winger than Halaifonua, Polledri must be bing rested, along with Slater I would imagine. Hoping Vellacott seizes this chance, and glad to see Woodward back in the frame. Morgan needs a big performance for sure....

Mikey Brown wrote:Are those really Ackermann’s First choice centres? Or is that being dictated by injury?

I can only assume Atkinson is injured.

20-16 final score, tight in the end, nail biting finish although glos should have been another try ahead, lack of final touch evident whilst camped on the Sale try line for large parts of the second half. Too many penalties given away is another concern. Still, unbeaten at home at year end. Happy enough.