Bubble To Burst?

Who would have thought that our sixth round trip to darkest Northumbria would see Falcons in third palce and Gloucs rock bottom? Now is definitely the time to clip the home side's wings.

It won't be easy. One of the benefits opf our current Covid situation is that you get the chance to see every game on BT and there's no doubt that Newcastle, under Dean Richards, are a super-efficient and spirited side with a sprinkling of speed and enterprise.

On paper those are the attributes you would have given to Gloucs. We are making progress,  and one suspects that George Skivington is in the Richards mould and keen to model a side in his own image.

For our longest trip he brings in Joe Simpson, Matias Alemanno and Matt Garvey.

The second row will feature  Garvey and Matias Alemanno, and in the backs Joe Simpson makes his first appearance in four games. His partnership with the impressive  Lloyd Evans could be key - specially if the latter brings his kicking boots. 

On the bench Santiago Carreras looks set to make his debut.

There's also plenty of pace in the side and on an artificial pitch let's hope for an open game. 

Gloucs: 15. Kyle Moyle 14. Louis Rees-Zammit 13. Chris Harris 12. Mark Atkinson 11. Jonny May 10. Lloyd Evans 9. Joe Simpson 1. Val Rapava-Ruskin 2. James Hanson 3. Fraser Balmain 4. Matt Garvey 5. Matias Alemanno 6. Alex Craig 7. Lewis Ludlow (capt) 8. Ruan Ackermann

 Reps: Henry Walker, Alex Seville, Jamal Ford-Robinson, Jamie Gibson,  Seb Nagle-Taylor, Charlie Chapman, Billy Twelvetrees, Santiago Carreras.