Gloucester change two for Prem Cup final as Pollard returns for Tigers

Gloucester and Leicester Tigers have named their squads for the Premiership Rugby Cup final at Kingsholm on Friday, with the first piece of silverware of the season up for grabs.

George Skivington has made only two changes to his Gloucester side that beat the Exeter Chiefs in the semi-final, with Val Rapava-Ruskin set to make his first appearance of the season. The 31-year-old has been selected at loosehead prop after recovering from a knee operation.

Winger Ollie Thorley is the other change in the squad, who replaces Josh Hathaway on the left wing.

Rassie Erasmus on Sam Warburton’s claims that Ireland are the best team in the world

Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus says he didn’t pay too much attention to Sam Warburton’s comments about Ireland being the best team in the World.

Rassie Erasmus on Sam Warburton’s claims that Ireland are the best team in the world

Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus says he didn’t pay too much attention to Sam Warburton’s comments about Ireland being the best team in the World.

Leicester have made four changes from the squad that overcame the Championship’s Ealing Trailfinders in the semi-final, with World Cup winner Handre Pollard being the notable inclusion in the squad.

The South African has won a World Cup since making his first appearance in the competition against Sale Sharks earlier in the season.

Gloucester XV
15. Lloyd Evans
14. Alex Hearle
13. Max Llewellyn
12. Seb Atkinson*
11. Ollie Thorley*
10. George Barton*
9. Caolan Englefield
1. Val Rapava-Ruskin
2. George McGuigan
3. Kirill Gotovtsev
4. Freddie Clarke*
5. Cam Jordan*
6. Ruan Ackermann
7. Lewis Ludlow* (C)
8. Zach Mercer

Replacements
16. Seb Blake*
17. Harry Elrington
18. Jamal Ford-Robinson
19. Arthur Clark*
20. Jack Clement*
21. Charlie Chapman*
22. Louis Hillman-Cooper*
23. Josh Hathaway*

Leicester Tigers XV
15 Mike Brown [22]
14 Josh Bassett [12]
13 Matt Scott [75]
12 Dan Kelly [75]
11 Ollie Hassell-Collins [14]
10 Handré Pollard [26]
9 Tom Whiteley [23]
1 Francois van Wyk [47]
2 Finn Theobald-Thomas [8]
3 Joe Heyes [137]
4 Harry Wells [191]
5 Sam Carter [14]
6 Hanro Liebenberg [100]
7 Matt Rogerson [16]
8 Kyle Hatherell [15]

Replacements
16 Archie Vanes [12]
17 James Whitcombe [47]
18 Dan Richardson [16]
19 Olly Cracknell [35]
20 Emeka Ilione [19]
21 Sam Edwards [12]
22 Jamie Shillcock [20]
23 Phil Cokanasiga [12]