Minimal changes from Gloucester and Sarries

Gloucester will be looking to follow up last week’s victory over Exeter Chiefs when they take on new Premiership leaders Saracens on Friday.

Cherry and Whites boss Johan Ackermann has made two changes to his starting line-up for this game.

It’s the second week in a row that Gloucester will have entertained the league leaders as they look to keep their own top four ambitions alive.

Both changes are in the pack. In the second-row, Ed Slater comes in for Tom Savage while, in the back-row, Jaco Kriel is named at openside flanker with Ruan Ackermann moving to the blindside flank.

Meanwhile, amongst the replacements, Italian international Jake Polledri has recovered from injury and is named in the matchday squad for the first time since the Champions Cup game at Exeter in December.

Previewing the Saracens game with the media this week, head coach Ackermann admitted that Gloucester will have to put in a more efficient performance than they did in beating Exeter last Friday.

“We can’t afford to waste scoring opportunities against Saracens. We got away with it against Exeter, but probably won’t against Saracens. They were in a tight game against Leicester last week for 60 minutes and then scored 30 points and made it look easy,” he said.

“If we get to 60 minutes, and it’s a close game and we haven’t taken our scoring opportunities, then they’re the sort of side that can punish you. So, we’ll have to improve in that area.

“For us, we have to re-set everything. We have to defend well, our set-piece is going to be massive again as it was against Exeter. They’re a quality side who haven’t been domestic and European champions for nothing.

“I know they have players out, but they’ve been together as a group for a long time. Every player is comfortable with how they play, and they will still have a lot of internationals and experience out there.”

Meanwhile, Michael Rhodes returns to the Saracens starting line-up as they also make two changes for this fixture.

The 31-year-old featured as a replacement in last weekend’s victory over Leicester Tigers after recovering from a shoulder injury and starts at blindside flanker at Kingsholm.

Schalk Burger is also reinstated in the back-row with Calum Clark named on the bench alongside prop Christian Judge who penned a deal until the end of the season last Friday.

The back division remains the same for the match.

Form: Gloucester’s 24-17 victory over Exeter Chiefs last Friday ended a five-game losing run in all competitions. Gloucester have lost twice at home in Gallagher Premiership Rugby this season, against Harlequins in Round 5 and Sale Sharks in round 11. Saracens returned to the top of the table for the first time since Round 9 with their bonus point win over Leicester Tigers on Saturday – their fifth win in succession in all competitions. Saracens have lost their last two away games in Premiership Rugby, at Exeter in Round 10 and at Sale in Round 12. The last six matches between the two clubs in Premiership Rugby have all been won by the home side on the day whilst Saracens most recent victory at Kingsholm was 17-15 in October 2015.

The teams:

Gloucester: 15 Jason Woodward, 14 Tom Marshall, 13 Billy Twelvetrees, 12 Mark Atkinson, 11 Ollie Thorley, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Willi Heinz (c), 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Jaco Kriel, 6 Ruan Ackermann, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Ed Slater, 3 Fraser Balmain, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Josh Hohneck
Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Paddy McAllister, 18 Ciaran Knight, 19 Freddie Clarke, 20 Jake Polledri, 21 Callum Braley, 22 Owen Williams, 23 Matt Banahan

Saracens: 15 Matt Gallagher, 14 David Strettle, 13 Alex Lozowski, 12 Brad Barritt (c), 11 Alex Lewington, 10 Alex Goode, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Jackson Wray, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Mike Rhodes, 5 Nick Isiekwe, 4 Dom Day, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Christopher Tolofua, 1 Richard Barrington
Replacements: 16 Tom Woolstencroft, 17 Titi Lamositele, 18 Christian Judge, 19 Will Skelton, 20 Calum Clark, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Max Malins, 23 Nick Tompkins

Venue: Kingsholm
Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
Referee: JP Doyle
Assistant referees: Greg Macdonald, Peter Allan
Television match official: Trevor Fisher