GLOUCESTER RUGBY Latta starts versus Baa-Baas

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Last Updated on Wednesday, 18 November 2015 09:07

Published on Tuesday, 17 November 2015 07:48

Nick Wood, the most experienced player in the Cherry and Whites squad, will captain Gloucester against the Barbarians tonight (1945).

There is a one-off return for an old Kingsholm favourite and first start for 23-year-old New Zealander Joe Latta.

Wood will lead a youthful looking side, selection heavily influenced by the fact that Gloucester have a European Rugby Challenge Cup fixture in La Rochelle on Thursday, three games in six days stretching the squad to the max, particularly given the current schedule of 28 weeks of consecutive rugby.

The backline features teenagers Mat Protheroe, Harry Robinson, Olly Thorley and Lloyd Evans for whom the occasion will be the opportunity of a lifetime.

There is one wise old head in the back line, however, former Gloucester and current Moseley centre, Tim Molenaar. The 34 year old played 73 times for the Cherry and Whites between 2009 and 2013 and will no doubt receive a warm welcome on his Kingsholm comeback.

The pack contains a few more familiar faces and considerably more experience. Wood packs down alongside Darren Dawidiuk, who has just returned from injury while six foot six Latta, just arrived from New Zealand, makes his first start at lock.

Elliott Stooke gets a rare run out on the blindside flank, forming a back row unit which features Dan Thomas and Lewis Ludlow, both amassing considerable first team experience. 

Tickets are still available for the match.

Gloucester Rugby starting 15 Mat Protheroe 14 Harry Robinson 13 Olly Thorley 12 Tim Molenaar 11 Steph Reynolds 10 Lloyd Evans 9 Ben Vellacott 1 Nick Wood (capt) 2 Darren Dawidiuk 3 Nicky Thomas 4 Joe Latta 5 Tom Hicks 6 Elliott Stooke 7 Dan Thomas 8 Lewis Ludlow

Ready on the bench 16Henry Walker 17 Dan Murphy 18 Josh McNulty 19 Alex Craig 20 Will Safe 21 Callum Braley 22 Billy Burns 23 Jack Evans 

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