Western Daily Press (Saturday)
It’s a chance to make our mark – Skivington
GLOUCESTER Rugby boss George Skivington insists that today’s Premiership Rugby Cup semi-final is not a “development game” and the Cherry & Whites are determined to reach the final of the competition.
In 2022, a young Gloucester side were beaten by a more experienced Worcester outfit, who went on to beat London Irish in the final
Ahead of today’s semi-final against Exeter Chiefs, Skivington said: “Anyone who didn’t play in the group stages can’t play in the knockouts, so your World Cup players, your internationals can’t play.
“But because of the format of this competition this season, we did end up using our whole squad, so from that point of view everyone has earned the right to play in the semi.
“A couple of years ago I used young players right the way through, and I felt they had earned us a place in the knockout stages so had a right to play in the knockout stages. I am still on board with that, but the only difference is everyone played in group stages this year.
“We are certainly not taking the approach that it is a development game. This is an important game at home at Kingsholm.”
So while the likes of Jonny May, Santi Carreras, Matias Alemanno and Albert Tuisue will have to sit out the semi-final, Skivington has plenty of experienced Premiership players to call upon.
He added: “It is just exciting to be in a proper knockout, competitive game and I expect Exeter to be approaching it the same way we are. We are excited to be in the knockout stages. This is an opportunity to do something, make our mark.”
Jamal Ford-Robinson, George McGuigan and Kirill Gotovtsev pack down in the front row, while Freddie Clarke is joined by Cam Jordan in the second row. Ruan Ackermann starts in the back row alongside Zach Mercer and captain Lewis Ludlow.
At half-back, Caolan Englefield, one of five Cherry & Whites named in the England A squad to take on Portugal next week, lines up alongside George Barton.
Seb Atkinson and Max Llewellyn start in midfield, with Ollie Thorley, Alex Hearle and Lloyd Evans completing the starting XV.
Seb Blake, Arthur Clark and Jack Clement, all called up by England A as well, are on the bench.
Gloucester Rugby: L Evans; A Hearle, M Llewellyn, S Atkinson, O Thorley; G Barton, C Englefield; J Ford-Robinson, G McGuigan, K Gotovtsev, F Clarke, C Jordan, R Ackermann, L Ludlow (capt), Z Mercer. Replacements: S Blake, H Elrington, C Knight, A Clark, J Clement, C Chapman, L Hillman-Cooper, J Hathaway.
Utility forward Ben Donnell and veteran scrum-half Micky Young have both left Gloucester Rugby with immediate effect.
Former England Under-20s man Donnell, who is primarily a back row but has also played at lock, has joined United Rugby Championship side Cardiff Rugby. He arrived at the Cherry & Whites following the demise of London Irish.
Half-back Young joined the club from Toulon in the autumn as injury cover at number nine for Caolan Englefield, who is now fit again, so Gloucester have confirmed he has moved on following the conclusion of his short-term deal.