Gloucester and Toulouse set for tasty European opener

David Skippers
Add as a preferred source on Google

The 2019/20 Champions Cup gets underway with Gloucester hosting Toulouse in what promises to be an entertaining encounter at Kingsholm on Friday.

The Cherry and Whites keep faith with the majority of the side that started against Saracens last weekend, but do make four changes to the XV.

In the front-row, the props are rotated with Val Rapava Ruskin and Jamal Ford-Robinson coming in for Josh Hohneck and Fraser Balmain respectively. In the back-row, Ruan Ackermann takes over from Jaco Kriel on the blindside.

The one change in the backline sees Joe Simpson return at scrum-half in place of Callum Braley.

Toulouse have an enviable European pedigree, having lifted the trophy on four occasions. Their form on the road in the Top 14 hasn’t been the best, but Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann isn’t paying any attention to that.

“You have to respect what they achieved last season and how their coaching staff have turned things around. They have obviously given their World Cup players a bit of a break and started to filter them back in last week and you saw what they did to Clermont,” he said.

“When we were at the tournament launch last week, I got the impression that they’re going to put an emphasis on the Heineken Cup this season.

“So, I think they will come with their strongest side and really want to kick-start their campaign with a win. So, I don’t think there will be a lack of motivation on their side so we must make sure we play our best game against a good opponent.”

Meanwhile, Toulouse have named an impressive line-up for the European opener with France internationals Thomas Ramos, Maxime Medard and Yoann Huget forming a deadly back three.

Romain Ntamack and Sofiane Guitoune run out in midfield with Zack Holmes and Sebastien Bezy the half-backs for their trip to Kingsholm.

Captain Julien Marchand leads the side from hooker with Joe Tekori, Rynardt Elstadt and Jerome Kaino also included in the starting pack.

The teams:

Gloucester: 15 Jason Woodward, 14 Tom Marshall, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Mark Atkinson, 11 Ollie Thorley, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Joe Simpson, 8 Ben Morgan (c), 7 Lewis Ludlow, 6 Ruan Ackermann, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Freddie Clarke, 3 Jamal Ford-Robinson, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Val Rapava Ruskin
Replacements: 16 Corné Fourie, 17 Josh Hohneck, 18 Fraser Balmain, 19 Alex Craig, 20 Jake Polledri, 21 Callum Braley, 22 Billy Twelvetrees, 23 Matt Banahan

Toulouse: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Yoann Huget, 13 Sofiane Guitoune, 12 Romain Ntamack, 11 Maxime Médard, 10 Zack Holmes, 9 Sébastien Bézy, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Rynhardt Elstadt, 6 Francois Cros, 5 Joe Tekori, 4 Florian Verhaeghe, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Julien Marchand (c), 1 Cyril Baille
Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Clément Castets, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Richie Gray, 20 Selevasio Tolofua, 21 Alban Placines, 22 Pierre Pages, 23 Lucas Tauzin

Date: Friday, November 15
Venue: Kingsholm
Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
Assistant referees: Gwyn Morris (Wales), Wayne Davies (Wales)
TMO: Ian Davies (Wales)

Gloucester