WESTCOUNTRY DERBY Gloucester vs Bath team news
- Details
- Created on Saturday, 04 January 2020 12:30
- Last Updated on Saturday, 04 January 2020 15:08
- Published on Saturday, 04 January 2020 12:30
- Written by DUNCAN WOOD and SHULA SMITH
Jason Woodward features for the first time since mid-November and will play at full-back with Tom Marshall moving to the right wing. Ollie Thorley returns on the left wing, Billy Twelvetrees in midfield.
Fraser Balmain starts at tighthead as Jamal Ford-Robinson picked up a knock in training. Ben Morgan is sidelined with an injury picked up at Saints so it’s a new look back row with Freddie Clarke and Jake Polledri coming into the starting line-up alongside Ruan Ackermann.
Owen Williams is in the matchday 23 for the first time this season, having worked his way back to fitness following a knee injury.
Gloucester Rugby head coach Johan Ackermann said: "Bath is a big local derby. We acknowledge that and appreciate the history but when we put on the jersey, we have to be good for 80 minutes regardless of who we play. That’s what we stand for, we represent the club in every game we play.
"Bath have quality all over. They have World Cup winners and top internationals. We expect a challenge on all fronts. They just beat Sale and can beat any side on their day.”
Sam Underhill and Chris Cook return to the Bath starting line-up.
Toby Faletau, Francois Louw and Underhill will all play in the back row for the first time together in two years. Underhill replaces Tom Ellis, which sees South African Louw switch to blindside.
Cook replaces injured Will Chudley, in impressive form since returning to the side in mid-December.
Gloucester Rugby starting 15 Jason Woodward; 14. Tom Marshall, 13. Chris Harris, 12. Billy Twelvetrees, 11. Ollie Thorley; 10. Danny Cipriani, 9. Willi Heinz (capt); 1. Josh Hohneck, 2. Franco Marais, 3. Fraser Balmain; 4. Alex Craig, 5. Franco Mostert; 6. Freddie Clarke, 7. Jake Polledri, 8. Ruan Ackermann
Ready on the bench 16. Todd Gleave, 17. Alex Seville, 18. Ciaran Knight, 19. Gerbrandt Grobler, 20. Lewis Ludlow, 21. Joe Simpson, 22. Owen Williams, 23. Louis Rees-Zammit replaced by Matt Banahan
Unavailable Mark Atkinson, Ruan Dreyer, Jamal Ford-Robinson, Corné Fourie, James Hanson, Jaco Kriel, Ben Morgan, Val Rapava Ruskin, Charlie Sharples, Ed Slater, Henry Trinder
Bath Rugby starting 15 Tom Homer 14. Semesa Rokoduguni 13. Jonathan Joseph 12. Jamie Roberts 11. Anthony Watson 10. Rhys Priestland 9. Chris Cook 1. Beno Obano 2. Tom Dunn 3. Will Stuart 4. Josh McNally 5. Elliott Stooke 6. Francois Louw (C) 7. Sam Underhill 8. Taulupe Faletau
Ready on the bench 16. Jack Walker 17. Lewis Boyce 18. Christian Judge 19. Mike Williams 20. Tom Ellis 21. Ollie Fox 22. Freddie Burns 23. Aled Brew
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