"It Comes Down to This" – Gloucester & Sharks Teams Confirmed for EPCR Challenge Cup Final

The finale of the EPCR Challenge Cup Final takes place tomorrow night, and the teams have been confirmed for the showcase fixture at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. North London’s state of the art football amphitheatre is the venue, which will see Gloucester Rugby take on the Hollywoodbets Sharks for the silverware.

Both clubs come into the fixture on the back off underwhelming league campaigns, despite their successes in the cup competitions. Gloucester head coach George Skivington touched upon the similar circumstances in his press-conference earlier this week, after the Cherry and Whites finished the regular Premiership season in ninth place.

George Skivington, Gloucester Rugby Director of Rugby during the Gallagher Premiership match between Exeter Chiefs and Gloucester Rugby at Sandy Park, Exeter on 19th Nov 2023. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

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George Skivington, Gloucester Rugby Director of Rugby during the Gallagher Premiership match between Exeter Chiefs and Gloucester Rugby at Sandy Park, Exeter on 19th Nov 2023. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

Comparatively, the Sharks had a below standard campaign in the United Rugby Championship, and the Durban side finished 13th. This saw the Sharks finish as the lowest performing South African side in the competition, but could well on their season on a high with the Challenge Cup trophy in their cabinet. The two sides have confirmed their match day 23s, that will run out at the Spurs stadium tomorrow evening.

GLOUCESTER RUGBY

Adam Hastings of Gloucester Rugby during the European Challenge Cup match between Gloucester Rugby and Benetton at Kingsholm Stadium on May 4th, 2024 in Gloucester, England. ( Photo: Geraint Nicholas/PPAUK )

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Adam Hastings of Gloucester Rugby during the European Challenge Cup match between Gloucester Rugby and Benetton at Kingsholm Stadium on May 4th, 2024 in Gloucester, England. ( Photo: Geraint Nicholas/PPAUK )

15. Santiago Carreras, 14. Jonny May, 13. Chris Harris, 12. Seb Atkinson, 11. Ollie Thorley, 10. Adam Hastings, 9. Caolan Englefield, 1. Jamal Ford-Robinson, 2. Seb Blake, 3. Fraser Balmain, 4. Freddie Clarke, 5. Arthur Clark, 6. Ruan Ackermann, 7. Lewis Ludlow (c), 8. Zach Mercer

Replacements:16. Santiago Socino, 17. Mayco Vivas, 18. Kirill Gotovtsev, 19. Albert Tuisue, 20. Jack Clement, 21. Stephen Varney, 22. Max Llewellyn, 23. Josh Hathaway

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS

15. Aphelele Fassi, 14. Werner Kok, 13. Ethan Hooker, 12. Francois Venter, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Siya Masuku, 9. Grant Williams, 1. Ox Nche, 2. Bongi Mbonambi, 3. Vincent Koch, 4. Eben Etzebeth (c), 5. Gerbrandt Grobler, 6. James Venter, 7. Vincent Tshituka, 8. Phepsi Buthelezi

Replacements:16. Fez Mbatha, 17. Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18. Hanro Jacobs, 19. Lappies Labuschagne, 20. Dylan Richardson, 21. Cameron Wright, 22. Curwin Bosch, 23. Eduan Keyter

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