Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Gloucester want to win every game – Skivington
with the Cherry & Whites having never achieved the feat before – despite finishing top of the table three times in the 2000s only to falter in the play-offs.
Skivington said with a knowing grin: “I always think it is Gloucester’s year, any club I am at I always think it is our year. If you don’t start the year thinking it is going to be your season then what are you doing, basically? We are realistic, but we are setting out to win every game.”
Gloucester have started the season well, with a big winning streak in the Premiership Rugby Cup, and discussing what has changed in the off-season, Skvington explained: “We have brought James LightfootBrown (attack coach) in and I think he has given us some really good attacking shape.
“Last year there were numerous games at the back end of the season that we would have won if we could have just finished off a couple of tries. The margins are small.”
Zach Mercer will make his league debut for the Cherry & Whites, while Lewis Ludlow captains the side from the flanker position.
Gloucester Rugby: L Evans; J Morris, M Llewellyn, S Atkinson, O Thorley; G Barton, C Chapman; H Elrington, G McGuigan, F Balmain, F Clarke, A Clark, B Donnell, L Ludlow (capt), Z Mercer. Replacements: S Blake, V Rapava-Ruskin, C Knight, F Thomas, J Clement, S Varney, L Hillman-Cooper, J Reeves. ■ Star signing Finn Russell should make his Bath Rugby debut from the bench when the Blue, Black & Whites begin their Gallagher Premiership campaign at home to Newcastle Falcons this afternoon.
Head of rugby Johann van Graan has named a full-strength side.
While Russell must make do with a spot on the bench, fellow Scotland international Cam Redpath starts in the centres.
Beno Obano, Tom Dunn and Thomas du Toit make up the front row, with Charlie Ewels and Quinn Roux at lock.
On the flanks, Ted Hill slots back into the number six jersey after a stint in the second row last week, accompanied by Chris Cloete at openside and Alfie Barbeary at number eight.
Scrum-half Ben Spencer will lead the team, with Orlando Bailey at flyhalf. Max Ojomoh partners Redpath, while Will Muir, Joe Cokanasiga and Matt Gallagher are the back three.
Bath Rugby: M Gallagher; J Cokanasiga, M Ojomoh, C Redpath, W Muir; O Bailey, B Spencer; B Obano, T Dunn, T Du Toit, Q Roux, C Ewels, T Hill, C Cloete, A Barbeary. Replacements: N Annett, J Schoeman, J Jonker, F Lee-Warner, M Reid, L Schreuder, F Russell, T de Glanville.
In National League One, Taunton host Rosslyn Park, while Cinderford are at home to Plymouth Albion.
Meanwhile, in National League Two West, there is a Bristol derby between Old Reds and Dings Crusaders.