Gloucester Rugby, currently leading the Prem table, are set to face Leicester Tigers tonight, Friday, for the Slater Cup. The highly anticipated match kicks off at 19:45 BST at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, with the South West team aiming for their third consecutive league victory.
The Slater Cup and MND Awareness
The Slater Cup honours Ed Slater, the former lock who captained both Leicester Tigers and Gloucester during his playing career. Slater’s career was cut short in 2022 following his diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). This fixture serves as a poignant game for both clubs, raising awareness for charities and causes related to MND.
Team Changes and Line-ups
Leicester Tigers have made five changes to their starting XV as they host Gloucester. Hooker Jamie Blamire is set to make his first Prem start of the season, replacing Samiuela Moli in the front row. Archie van der Flier steps in for Mako Vunipola, who moves to the bench, while Finn Carnduff returns to the starting pack. In the back line, Ollie Hassell-Collins replaces Adam Radwan on the wing, and Will Wand comes in for Solomone Kata, who is out due to a calf injury. Jack van Poortvliet will captain the Leicester side.
Gloucester, fresh from a dominant 48-0 victory over Harlequins last week, make two changes to their starting line-up. Ben Redshaw replaces George Barton at full-back, and Dian Bleuler moves into the front row in place of Val Rapava-Ruskin. Wales international Max Llewellyn returns to the squad for the first time this season, named among the replacements. Dewi Lake will captain Gloucester for the fixture.
Leicester Tigers Starting XV:
- 15: Freddie Steward
- 14: Gabriel Hamer-Webb
- 13: Will Wand
- 12: Orlando Bailey
- 11: Ollie Hassell-Collins
- 10: Billy Searle
- 9: Jack van Poortvliet (c)
- 8: Olly Cracknell
- 7: Tommy Reffell
- 6: Aaron Wainwright
- 5: Cameron Henderson
- 4: Finn Carnduff
- 3: Joe Heyes
- 2: Jamie Blamire
- 1: Archie van der Flier
Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Mako Vunipola, Will Hurd, James Thompson, Joaquin Moro, Tom Whiteley, Joseph Woodward, Adam Radwan.
Gloucester Starting XV:
- 15: Ben Redshaw
- 14: Ollie Thorley
- 13: Will Joseph
- 12: Seb Atkinson
- 11: Ben Loader
- 10: Charlie Atkinson
- 9: Caolan Englefield
- 8: Will Trenholm
- 7: Jac Morgan
- 6: Freddie Thomas
- 5: Arthur Clark
- 4: Jean Kleyn
- 3: Afo Fasogbon
- 2: Dewi Lake (c)
- 1: Dian Bleuler
Replacements: Jack Innard, Harrison Bellamy, Ciaran Knight, Jack Clement, Lewis Ludlow, Dan Robson, Max Llewellyn, George Barton.
Gloucester’s Strong Start and Mentality Shift
Gloucester enters this third week of Prem action with a perfect record, having secured ten points from their opening two bonus-point victories against Exeter Chiefs and Harlequins. Winger Ben Loader has attributed this early success to a significant “shift in the mentality and mindset” within the squad, as reported by Dave Sport.
Leicester, meanwhile, will be looking to build on their recent victory away at Newcastle Red Bulls.
Broadcast Details
Rugby fans can listen to coverage of all the matches on BBC DAB and FM local radio, via BBC Sounds or the BBC Sport website and app. The Leicester Tigers vs Gloucester match will also be shown live on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports UHD and HBO Max. Karl Dickson will officiate the game, with Joe James and John Meredith as assistant referees and Stuart Terheege serving as the TMO.
