Gloucester v Newcastle team news: Alemanno captains Cherry and Whites

Gloucester Rugby and Newcastle Red Bulls have named their squads for their final match of the season, as the hosts chase Champions Cup rugby for next season.

While the Red Bulls' fate of finishing at the base of the Gallagher Prem table has long been confirmed, Gloucester head into the final match of the season with something to play for.

The Cherry and Whites must win at the weekend to secure themselves a spot in next season's European Rugby Champions Cup and compete amongst the very best.

Gloucester have named Argentinian lock Mati Alemanno to skipper his side for the visit of the Red Bulls in what will be his 100th and final match in Cherry and White.

Arthur Clark will partner the Argentine in the second row, behind a front row of Val Rapava Ruskin, Seb Blake and Afo Fasogbon. Freddie Thomas, James Venter and Will Trenholm start in the back row.

With minimal changes in the backline from their narrow defeat to Northampton last weekend, Ollie Thorley and Ben Loader swap wings, while Ben Redshaw starts at full back.

For the Red Bulls, with nothing to play for but pride, surprise sensation Alex Hearle is named to make his 50th appearance for the club, after an impressive hattrick last weekend.

Newcastle have made three changes in total to the side that defeated Sale last time out, with reddie Lockwood, Murray McCallum and Elliott Obatoyinbo all coming into the starting XV.

Gloucester team news

Starting XV: 15 Ben Redshaw, 14 Ben Loader, 13 Max Llewellyn, 12 Seb Atkinson (c), 11 Ollie Thorley, 10 Charlie Atkinson, 9 Caolan Englefield; 1 Val Rapava Ruskin, 2 Seb Blake, 3 Afo Fasogbon, 4 Arthur Clark (vc), 5 Matias Alemanno, 6 Freddie Thomas, 7 Jame Venter, 8 Will Trenholm.

Substitutes: 16 Jack Innard, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Ciaran Knight, 19 Deian Gwynne, 20 Jack Clement, 21 Mikey Austin, 22 Will Knight, 23 Josiah Edwards-Giraud.

Newcastle team news

Starting XV: 15 Ethan Grayson, 14 Harrison Obatoyinbo, 13 Alex Hearle, 12 Sammy Arnold, 11 Elliott Obatoyinbo, 10 Brett Connon, 9 Simón Benítez Cruz; 1 Connor Hancock, 2 George McGuigan (c), 3 Murray McCallum, 4 Jamie Hodgson, 5 Adam Scott, 6 Ollie Leatherbarrow, 7 Tom Christie, 8 Freddie Lockwood.

Substitutes: 16 Ollie Fletcher, 17 Jamie Clark, 18 Richard Palframan, 19 Tim Cardall, 20 Reuben Parsons, 21 James Elliott, 22 Ben Healy, 23 Christian Wade.