Gloucester Rugby return to Kingsholm on Friday night looking to strengthen their bid for Investec Champions Cup qualification as they host Sale Sharks in a crucial Gallagher PREM Rugby clash. The Cherry & Whites enter the round with momentum after an impressive victory over Exeter Chiefs and currently hold a five-point advantage over ninth-place Harlequins.
Facing the side directly above them in the table, Gloucester know another home win could create further breathing room in the race for European qualification. George Skivington has kept faith with much of the lineup that delivered against Exeter, making only two changes in the forward pack. Seb Blake returns at hooker, while James Venter comes into the back row alongside a physical Gloucester unit that has excelled at set-piece time all season.
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Sale Sharks travel to Kingsholm after an important road victory over Harlequins and are aiming to continue their playoff push. Joe Carpenter and Marius Louw strengthen the backline, while Hyron Andrews comes into the second row for a side that has built its season around forward dominance and territorial control.
Gloucester’s scrum has been the most efficient in the PREM, leading the league with 101 scrums won and a 94.4% success rate. Seb Atkinson continues to shine as a ball carrier with 173 carries and 1,127 metres gained. Sale counter with the league’s best maul numbers, having won 70 this season, while George Ford leads the PREM with 3,939 kick metres and sits second in total points scored.
Gloucester Rugby vs. Sale Sharks Kickoff Time
Gloucester Rugby host Sale Sharks at 2:45 p.m. ET on Friday, with Sara Cox appointed as referee. The match is part of the Gallagher PREM Rugby schedule.
How To Watch Gloucester Rugby vs. Sale Sharks
The match will be broadcast live on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States.
Gloucester Rugby Lineup vs. Sale Sharks
- George Barton
- Will Joseph
- Max Llewellyn
- Seb Atkinson
- Ben Loader
- Charlie Atkinson
- Tomos Williams (c)
- Val Rapava Ruskin
- Seb Blake
- Afo Fasogbon
- Arthur Clark
- Matias Alemanno
- Freddie Thomas
- James Venter
- Will Trenholm
Replacements:
- Jack Innard
- Dian Bleuler
- Ciaran Knight
- Danny Eite
- Deian Gwynne
- Jack Clement
- Caolan Englefield
- Josiah Edwards-Giraud
Sale Sharks Lineup vs. Gloucester Rugby
- Joe Carpenter
- Tom Roebuck
- Marius Louw
- Rekeiti Ma’asi-White
- Tom O’Flaherty
- George Ford
- Gus Warr
- Ralph McEachran
- Alfie Longstaff
- Asher Opoku-Fordjour
- Hyron Andrews
- Ben Bamber
- Ernst van Rhyn (c)
- Jacques Vermeulen
- Sam Dugdale
Replacements:
- Wills Austin
- Tumy Onasanya
- James Harper
- Tristan Woodman
- Seb Kelly
- Dom Hanson
- Luke James
- Arron Reed
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A FloRugby subscription provides access to Gallagher PREM Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, Top 14, URC, and more, with live matches, replays, and exclusive coverage available worldwide.
Rugby Union Club Rankings - May 6, 2026
- Leinster (URC) - 10-6 - Last: 1
- Stormers (URC) - 12-4 - Last: 2
- Bath Rugby (PREM) - 11-3 - Last: 3
- Bordeaux Bègles (Top 14) - 12-10 - Last: 4
- Northampton Saints (PREM) - 12-1-1 - Last: 5
- Glasgow Warriors (URC) - 11-5 - Last: 6
- Ulster (URC) - 9-7 - Last: 7
- Montpellier (Top 14) - 13-8-1 - Last: 8
- Hurricanes (SRP) - 8-2 - Last: 11
- Saitama Wild Knights (JRLO) - 15-2 - Last: 10
- Chiefs (SRP) - 8-2 - Last: 12
- Bristol Bears (PREM) - 10-4 - Last: 13
- Toulouse (Top 14) - 16-6 - Last: 14
- Toulon (Top 14) - 11-10-1 - Last: 15
- Kubota Spears (JRLO) - 14-3 - Last: 17
- Kobelco Kobe Steelers (JRLO) - 15-2 - Last: 16
- Exeter Chiefs (PREM) - 8-5-1 - Last: 9
- Reds (SRP) - 6-4 - Last: 20
- Stade Français (Top 14) - 12-9-1 - Last: 18
- Leicester Tigers (PREM) - 10-4 - Last: 21
- Pau (Top 14) - 14-8 - Last: 22
- Brumbies (SRP) - 5-6 - Last: 19
- Lions (URC) - 10-5-1 - Last: 23
- Cardiff Rugby (URC) - 10-6 - Last: 24
- Racing 92 (Top 14) - 13-8-1 - Last: 25
Investec Champions Cup Final
Saturday, May 23
- 9:45 a.m. ET - Leinster Rugby vs. Union Bordeaux Bègles - San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao
EPCR Challenge Cup Final
Friday, May 22
- 3:00 p.m. ET - Ulster Rugby vs. Montpellier Hérault Rugby - San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao
How The Rankings Work
These cross-competition power rankings compare professional rugby union clubs across major leagues using a standings-based rating model. Each team’s rating is shaped by record, point differential, league strength, previous rating and major knockout competition status.
Champions Cup semifinalists receive an added boost because those results provide the strongest cross-league signal, while Challenge Cup semifinalists receive a smaller adjustment. The model also uses league-specific caps and movement limits, so strong records in developing or lower-strength competitions do not outweigh proven performance in deeper leagues.
The rankings are meant to estimate current club strength across competitions, not simply mirror domestic league tables.
A FloRugby annual subscription provides access to live matches and replays from the URC, Gallagher PREM Rugby, Top 14 and EPCR competitions throughout the global rugby season.
How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby
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