The 12-man Gloucester Rugby squad for this weekend’s Singha Premiership Rugby 7s action has been named, with an exciting young team set to take to the field at Franklin’s Gardens.

After a strong pre-season schedule behind the scenes at Hartpury, the Cherry and Whites will be led by scrum-half Ben Vellacott in a young side packed with potential and promise from the club’s blossoming Academy department.

Mason Tonks, who represented the club in last year’s tournament, will be eager to build on his strong form in the shortened format of the game following an impressive showing for England in the recent Rugby Europe competition, including four tries last weekend at Sandy Park, Exeter.

The squad is completely made up of Gloucester Academy products and members, littered with age group internationals and Premiership Rugby League experience.

The forward power will be provided by new signing Jake Polledri, Aaron Hinkley, and Will Safe, with the pace in the wide spaces from Tom Seabrook, Under 18 winger Jacob Morris, and first team back Ollie Thorley.

Keep an eye out for the play makers too, with Carwyn Penny, Harry Randall, Charlie Chapman and Tom Hudson dangerous in attack.

The competition takes on a new format this summer, with an Olympic-style two-day format with two pool fixtures against Harlequins and Premiership Rugby returnees London Irish on Friday evening, before the knockout stages on Saturday afternoon.

The squad will be guided by Head of Academy Rich Whiffin and Academy Coach Alex Guest at Franklin’s Gardens, and Whiffin is excited to give his young side free reign to express their attacking instincts.

“This young side are hugely excited to get going in the Singha Premiership Rugby Sevens,” he said. “It’s been a very tough pre-season for the whole club, and this young side have the honour of getting into competitive action first.

“The Academy set up is in rude health, which is testament to the hard work of the whole club, and we are excited to see how this young side fare this weekend.

“We have two very tough pool games to contend with first, but I know this young side will be very keen to show what they can do in front of a big, excitable crowd and on BT Sport.”

Gloucester Rugby 7s:
1.Carwyn Penny, 2. Jacob Morris, 3. Tom Seabrook, 4. Charlie Chapman, 5. Harry Randall, 6. Jake Polledri, 7. Aaron Hinkley, 8. Will Safe, 9. Ben Vellacott, 10. Mason Tonks, 11. Ollie Thorley, 12. Tom Hudson