Sharks present exciting challenge – Skivington

GLOUCESTER Rugby head coach George Skivington is braced for the double challenge of a physical pack and a talented backline when the Cherry & Whites visit Sale Sharks in the Gallagher Premiership today.

Skivington’s side and opponents Sale are respectively sixth and seventh in the table, although the Sharks are five points worse off having played one game more.

The Gloucester boss, however, is in no doubt about the difficulty of the task awaiting his side today.

He said: “It’s a really tough place to go. We’ve had a few tough away games over the last month, and we’ve learnt a huge amount.

“We’re very respectful of Sale. It’s a tough place to go and they are in good form. They’ve got a very big pack and a lot of skill behind that.

“It’s a big challenge for us, but we’re very focused and we’re very clear on where we need to improve our team to keep pushing on, so it’s an exciting challenge for us.”

Skivington has made just two alterations to the starting XV that beat Northampton last week.

George Barton is brought in at ten, with Adam Hastings called into the Scotland squad, and Lewis Ludlow, pictured, returns from the England camp to captain the side.

Kyle Moyle starts at full-back with Santiago Carreras and Ollie Thorley on the wings, while Tom Seabrook and Billy Twelvetrees link up in the midfield with Ben Meehan at nine.

In the forwards, Harry Elrington, Santiago Socino and Fraser Balmain keep their starting spots in the front row with Freddie Clarke and Matias Alemanno at lock. Ludlow returns alongside Ruan Ackermann and Jordy Reid in the back row.

Louis Hillman-Cooper will make his Premiership debut if he comes on from the bench, while Charlie Chapman and Alex Morgan are also among the replacement backs.

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