By Cheery Cherry
November 7 2014
Gloucester once again give youth its chance in the LV=Cup. Aled Thomas will lead the side which takes on London Welsh at the Kassam on Sunday ...
It will be a big step up for Academy hooker Luke Cole who will pack down alongside Yann Thomas and Shaun Knight. The back row will see Gareth Evans at No 8 a with Dan Thomas and Lewis Ludlow completing the back row.
In the backs Callum Braley will be at fly half with exciting prospect Steph Reynolds on the wing.
Gloucs: Steve McColl; Shane Monahan, Tom Isaacs, Billy Meakes, Steph Reynolds; Aled Thomas (capt), Callum Braley; Yann Thomas, Luke Cole, Shaun Knight; Elliott Stooke, Tom Hicks; Lewis Ludlow, Dan Thomas, Gareth Evans.
Reps: Goodrick-Clarke, James Gibbons, Jack Spencer, Rob Fuller, Will Safe, Harry Bassett, Billy Burns, Charlie Norman.
London Welsh make nine changes for Sunday’s LV= Cup clash with Gloucester Rugby at the Kassam Stadium (KO 2:30pm).
The Exiles made a losing start to their LV= Cup campaign last weekend, going down to a 47-7 defeat at Bath Rugby, while Gloucester lost 28-27 at Exeter Chiefs.
In the backs, Alan Awcock is named at full back while Seb Stegmann comes back into the side on the right wing. Will Robinson makes his first start of the season at fly half with Paul Rowley named at scrum half.
In the forwards, Shane Cahill, Koree Britton and Jack Gilding make up a new look front row while Dean Schofield comes into the second row. Peter Browne replaces namesake Daniel at blindside flanker.
London Welsh head coach Justin Burnell said: “It was very pleasing to see the way young Will Robinson came off the bench down in Bath and made an immediate impact, so he’s been rewarded with his first start of the season on Sunday.
“Young Jesse Liston is another for whom Sunday is a well-deserved opportunity. He impressed playing for Crawshay’s in the week – we had great feedback on him – so he’s also been rewarded with a place on the bench.
“It’s also good to have Alan Awcock back and contesting the number 15 jersey, after the injury he picked up in Lyon. He impressed in that game and Sunday is another good opportunity for him to show what he can do.
“We’re once again taking this weekend to look at different combinations within the squad. We’re back at home at the Kassam Stadium and getting a performance is the vital thing for us on Sunday.”
London Welsh: 15. Alan Awcock, 14. Seb Stegmann, 13. Nic Reynolds, 12. Tom May* (C), 11. Nick Scott, 10. Will Robinson, 9. Paul Rowley, 1. Shane Cahill, 2. Koree Britton, 3. Jack Gilding, 4. Dean Schofield*, 5. James Down, 6. Peter Browne, 7. Nathan Vella, 8. Ben Pienaar.
Replacements: 16. Nathan Morris, 17. Taione Vea*, 18. Ben Cooper, 19. Matt Corker, 20. Jesse Liston, 21. Rob Lewis, 22. Gordon Ross*, 23. Rhys Crane.
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