Gloucester Rugby v Newcastle Falcons team news: George Skivington brings back international stars

George Skivington says he is only too aware Newcastle will be sensing blood heading into Saturday’s final Gallagher Premiership game of the season at Kingsholm, with Steve Diamond’s winless side desperate to earn their first league win of the season to avoid the ignominy of finishing with one of of the worst records in history.

The Cherry and Whites come into the game battered and bruised, physically, mentally and reputationally, after the 90-0 hammering away at leaders Northampton Saints last weekend, although just a few weeks ago Falcons also shipped 85 points away at Bristol Bears.

Gloucester director of rugby George Skivington said: “I think in their shoes, it's their last game of the season, they definitely want to win one before the season's out. We're just above them in the table, so for sure, they'll think we're a target and I think we're aware of that. Newcastle give everybody a tough game. They might not have got across the line but they've given lots of teams tough, tough games and we had a tough game with them up at their place earlier in the year. We're definitely not underestimating that. We've got a few sore people in the building for sure so I think it'll be a good game but from our point of view we're looking forward to our last game at Kingsholm. There's some players moving on, this is their last game at the club, so our focus is very much on doing a good job on the weekend.”

Full team news

Gloucester Rugby: 15. Josh Hathaway*, 14. Jonny May*, 13. Chris Harris, 12. Seb Atkinson*, 11. Ollie Thorley*, 10. Charlie Atkinson, 9. Caolan Englefield, 1. Jamal Ford-Robinson, 2. Seb Blake*, 3. Kirill Gotovtsev, 4. Freddie Clarke*, 5. Freddie Thomas*, 6. Ruan Ackermann, 7. Lewis Ludlow* (C), 8. Zach Mercer

Replacements: 16. Santi Socino, 17. Mayco Vivas, 18. Ciaran Knight*, 19. Albert Tuisue, 20. Jack Clement*, 21. Stephen Varney*, 22. Alex Hearle, 23. Jake Morris*

Newcastle Falcons: 15 Louis Brown, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Cameron Hutchison, 11 Ben Redshaw, 10 Brett Connon, 9 Sam Stuart; 1 Adam Brocklebank, 2 Jamie Blamire, 3 Eduardo Bello, 4 Tim Cardall, 5 John Hawkins, 6 Sam Cross, 7 Guy Pepper, 8 Callum Chick (captain).

Replacements: 16 Bryan Byrne, 17 Mark Dormer, 18 Richard Palframan, 19 Adam Scott, 20 Freddie Lockwood, 21 James Elliott, 22 Rory Jennings, 23 Oli Spencer.

Officials

Referee: Sara Cox (7th Premiership match)

Assistant referees: Joe James and Peter Allan

TMO: Dean Richards