A True Derby
Freddie Thomas
By New Boy
November 1 2024
They used to be known as Gloucester's development squad but now Hartpury are a club in their own right and host their former mentors in the first round of the Prem Cup.
Hartpury are not all that popular in the West country after they started life with the Cherry and White connection (first time I saw Jonny May play was in the Hartputy College colours).
The RFU allowed them in at the bottom rung and they swept all before them - annoying lots of community clubs who knew who was going to win the league by a massive margin before the first ball was kicked or thrown.
That's water under the bridge as "Hartpury RFC" now hold their own in the Championship albeit with a strange level of support - many of whom are only there because Gloucs are playing elsewhere.
Gloucs begin their defence of the Cup with this youthful l line-up.
1. Aristot Benz-Salomon
2. Morgan Nelson
3. Jono Benz-Salomon
4. Freddie Clarke
5. Danny Eite
6. Deian Gwynne
7. Harry Taylor (Capt)
8. Albert Tuisue
9. Charlie Chapman
10. Rory Taylor
11. Jack Reeves
12. Morgan Adderly-Jones
13. Louis Hillman-Cooper
14. Josh Hathaway
15. Ioan Jones
Bench:
16. Gareth Blackmore
17. Harrison Bellamy
18. Alfie Petch
19. George Knowles
20. Caio James
21. Harry Gipson
22. Max Knight
23. Tom Penny