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Gloucester take on Sale Sharks in the Aviva Premiership on Friday: 19:45 kick-off
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The Cherry and Whites make one change with Sione Kalamafoni coming in
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Sharks hand a first Premiership start to winger Nev Edwards
After two consecutive defeats away from home, Gloucester will be looking to make the most of their return to Kingsholm when they face Sale Sharks in the Aviva Premiership on Friday evening.
The Cherry and Whites have kept the faith with the majority of their side that lost 15-3 away against Northampton last Friday night with the only change seeing Sione Kalamafoni come into the XV.
Kalamafoni replaces Ben Morgan at number eight with the rest of the pack unchanged while in the backs James Hook and Billy Twelvetrees swap positions, with Hook now lining up at fly-half and Twelvetrees at inside centre.
Sale arrive in the West Country with a run of seven straight Aviva Premiership Rugby defeats on the road, a run that stretches back to February.
Steve Diamond has made three changes to last week’s side that drew with Newcastle Falcons with Josh Beaumont, Peter Stringer and Nev Edwards coming into the side, in the place of Magnus Lund, Chris Cusiter and Tom Arscott respectively.
There is also a welcome return to action for David Seymour, who is on the bench for the visitors having missed the opening five games through injury.
Check out RUCK’s Aviva Premiership predictions here.
KEY STATS
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Gloucester have not scored a Premiership Rugby try since David Halaifonua did so against Warriors 180 minutes ago
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Sale have won just two Aviva Premiership Rugby games this season, both at home to Worcester and Northampton Saints in rounds 2 and 3
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The Sharks have lost their last seven away games in all tournaments
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Referee JP Doyle becomes just the 10th referee to take charge of 100 Premiership Rugby matches.
BETTING ODDS (via SkyBet)
Gloucester 2/5, Sale Sharks 9/4, Draw 33/1
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Gloucester: Billy Twelvetrees
Twelvetrees’ composed style of play makes him super effective at unleashing Gloucester’s impressive back three. His goal kicking if required is impeccable while in defence he stands strong and tackles firmly. An all round outstanding performer who could very well make the difference tonight.
Sale Sharks: Danny Cipriani
One of England’s most mercurial talents, Danny Cipriani has always shown promise without consistently delivering on his world class potential. The 27-year-old fly-half has relished his starring role at the AJ Bell Stadium and will be crucial to Steve Diamond’s cause this weekend.
Gloucester: 15 Rob Cook, 14 Charlie Sharples, 13 Bill Meakes, 12 Billy Twelvetrees (c), 11 Jonny May, 10 James Hook, 9 Willi Heinz, 8 Sione Kalamafoni, 7 Matt Kvesic, 6 Ross Moriarty, 5 Jeremy Thrush, 4 Tom Savage, 3 John Afoa, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Paddy McAllister.
Replacements: 16 Darren Dawidiuk, 17 Nick Wood, 18 Nicky Thomas, 19 Mariano Galarza, 20 Jacob Rowan, 21 Greig Laidlaw, 22 Henry Trinder, 23 Henry Purdy.
Sale Sharks: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Nev Edwards, 13 Sam James, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Will Addison, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Peter Stringer, 8 Josh Beaumont, 7 TJ Ioane, 6 Dan Braid (c), 5 Jonathan Mills, 4 Bryn Evans, 3 Vadim Cobilas, 2 Tommy Taylor, 1 Ross Harrison.
Replacements: 16 Neil Briggs, 17 Eifion Lewis Roberts, 18 Brian Mujati, 19 Andrei Ostrikov, 20 David Seymour, 21 Chris Cusiter, 22 Joe Ford, 23 Mark Jennings.
Date: Friday, November 4
Venue: Kingsholm
Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
Referee: JP Doyle
Assistant referees: Peter Huckle, Paul Dix
Television match official: Stuart Terheege
Timekeeper: Eric Bullion
Assessor: Nigel Yates