Gloucester are set for their first competitive action when they compete in the Premiership Rugby 7s at Franklin’s Gardens on Friday evening, and have named a young squad packed with potential for the occasion.

The Gloucester squad is made of up a mix of senior and junior academy members and will be skippered by Alex Morgan and coached by Matt Teague.

Some of the club’s most promising young talent will be on display as they feature at senior level for the first time.

Friday night sees the action kick off with the Cherry and Whites set to take on London Irish and Exeter Chiefs.

Teague believes the tournament is a superb stage for his young starlets to perform upon and show what they can do.

"They’re excited and looking forward to ripping into it as such,” he said. “The squad is made up of first and second year senior academy boys.

"But, saying that, they’ve got lots of Premiership Shield experience from last year to call upon and, being at Franklin’s Gardens, it will be a great opportunity for them.

"It will be a real test of their speed, skill and stamina but, at the same time, they’re massively excited with a view to the Premiership Rugby Cup fixtures coming up and being in the coaches’ eyes."

Coach

Matt Teague – Matt is in his third season as an Academy coach at his hometown club. He is the nephew of Mike and cousin of Rory.

Teague will lead Gloucester in the Premiership Rugby Academy U18s League this season and will take the reins for the Premiership Rugby 7s this weekend.

Players

George Barton – George is an England U18 international fly-half who has played a big role in the Gloucester U18 team in the past two years. He trained with England U20s last season as an U18.

Jack Clement – Jack is a powerful back row forward who has played number eight for England U18s. Also trained with England U20s last season as an U18 last season.

Reece Dunn – Reece became the first person born this century to represent the first XV when he made his debut in the Anglo-Welsh Cup away at Leicester in November 2017. He was still a pupil at St Peter’s School at the time.

Josh Gray – A product of Dean Close School, Josh is another England U18 back row forward last season.

Joe Howard – Skippered Gloucester’s U18s side last season, and also represented England U18s in the back row last season.

Corey Howells – Corey is currently on trial with the Gloucester Rugby Academy having come through the Academy. A winger by trade in the XVs game.

Ethan Hunt – Another member of the successful Gloucester Rugby U18 team last season. A very highly thought of player who has been training with the first team this summer.

Isaac Marsh – A hard-running centre who played in the Premiership Rugby 7s last summer as an U18.

Alex Morgan – Wales U20 international who came to the Gloucester Rugby Academy as a 16 year old via the Blues Academy. Will skipper the squad this weekend.

Jake Morris – Son of former Gloucester Rugby player Simon, Jake is an England U20 international who can play centre or on the wing.

Charlie Tchen – A triallist who featured in the U18s league last season and who has been training with the club this summer. A product of Cheltenham College.

Stephen Varney – Was the U18 Academy scrum-half last season. Welsh born but an U18 Italy international. Has been training with the first XV in Portugal this week.