By New Cherry
April 17 2026

George Skivington said what many of us are thinking this week when he said that the way the various competitions are being run this season hinders "momentum." Not only that it weakens the competition which is the bedrock of English rugby.

And so we find ourselves on a Friday night with a derby game at Bears which should be a highight of the season. However, it is difficult to embrace a competition when we have had three weeks away from the Prem because  of European Cups and have played only two matches since New Year because of the Six Nations. In the next two months there will also be two more weekends without games.

A much needed win at Bristol may restore some interest and bragging rights. Theer's some changes from last time out with Seb Blake at hooker and Danny Eite in the second row after signing a new contract this week.

Bristol go into the game in 5th compared to Gloucester's 8th. Bristol need to win to keep up a top four challenge while the Cherry and Whites are already playing for next season - hopefully.

GLOUCS

15 George Barton

14 Josiah Edwards-Giraud

13 Max Llewellyn

12 Seb Atkinson (Capt)

11 Ollie Thorley

10 Charlie Atkinson

9 Caolan Englefield

1 Dian Bleuler

2 Seb Blake

3 Afo Fasogbon

4 Danny Eite

5 Arthur Clark 

6 Deian Gwynne

7 Lewis Ludlow

8 Jack Clement

Bench

16 Jack Innard

17 Val Rapava Ruskin

18 Ciaran Knight

19 Matías Alemanno

20 Will Trenholm

21 Mikey Austin

22 Will Joseph

23 Ben Loader

Into The Bear Pit

Discussion started by Shedloads (IP Logged), 17/04/2026 09:14

Shedloads
17/04/2026 09:14

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