Gloucester v Bath - Aviva Premiership match preview
Gloucester have recalled trio Henry Trinder, Huia Edmonds and Ben Morgan for their Premiership derby at Kingsholm.
Last Updated: 06/10/12 1:10pm
Morgan's return sees Sione Kalamafoni move across from number eight to blindside flank while All Black scrum-half Jimmy Cowan who is named amongst the replacements.
Sam Vesty will come into the starting line-up at inside centre for Bath as the West Country outfit look to clinch a vital win in the league.
This will be Vesty's first start of the season, and he will partner Dan Hipkiss in the midfield, with Michael Claassens and Stephen Donald forming the half-backs.
Donald slots back into his preferred role of fly-half, replacing Olly Barkley, who last week played his final game for Bath before taking up a contract at Racing Metro 92.
Hooker Lee Mears captains the team with skipper Stuart Hooper sidelined due to a hamstring problem. Dominic Day deputises at lock.
Gloucester: 15 R Cook, 14 S Monahan, 13 H Trinder, 12 B Twelvetrees, 11 J Simpson-Daniel, 10 F Burns, 9 D Robson, 8 B Morgan, 7 A Qera, 6 S Kalamafoni, 5 J Hamilton (capt), 4 T Savage, 3 R Harden, 2 H Edmonds, 1 N Wood. Replacements: 16 K Britton, 17 D Murphy, 18 S Knight, 19 W James, 20 G Evans, 21 J Cowan, 22 M Tindall, 23 M Thomas.
Bath: 15 N Abendanon, 14 K Eastmond, 13 D Hipkiss, 12 S Vesty, 11 T Biggs, 10 S Donald, 9 M Claassens, 8 S Taylor, 7 B Skirving, 6 C Fearns, 5 D Attwood, 4 D Day, 3 D Wilson, 2 L Mears (capt), 1 P James. Replacements: 16 R Batty, 17 N Catt, 18 A Perenise, 19 W Spencer, 20 W Skuse, 21 M McMillan, 22 O Devoto, 23 J Cuthbert.
What they said...
Gloucester head coach Nigel Davies
"I think we're very similar to Bath at the moment. We're both teams in transition with new coaching groups, new philosophies and new look teams.
"We're both working hard to put those systems and philosophies in place, so it'll be interesting to see which side comes out on top on Saturday.
"It's important to keep the momentum going. We're at home and we desperately want to win and put in a big performance.
"This group of players are playing with lots of confidence at the moment, with lots of belief. We're ready for this fixture, it's a huge fixture."
Bath lock Dave Attwood
"Kingsholm was once home to me and it is a special place. To be arriving there this weekend with my Bath teammates is a real honour.
"These are special days and there is a huge amount of history to remember as you run out. I can't wait for the game."
