The new Gallagher Premiership is back and the Cherry and Whites are on the road this weekend, making one of the season’s shorter trips, down to The Rec, for a West Country Derby with Bath Rugby (KO 4:30pm)
After the Cherry and Whites got their season underway last week with a victory over Northampton Saints, and Johan Ackermann’s men head to The Rec looking to repeat their victory at the same ground last October, but with a disappointing defeat in the reverse fixture at Kingsholm fresh in the mind.
Here are a number of players to watch this weekend.
Henry Trinder
The centre’s form in Cherry and White last season saw him receive a nod from his country against the Barbarians, and as the routine of the new season kicks into play, he will be looking to star this weekend in a fascinating midfield battle.
James Hanson
The Gloucester pack were in fine form in Round One, and face a Bath pack that would argue they got the better of their opponents Bristol Bears in their opener. The scorer of Gloucester’s first try of the new season, the Australian hooker will be a key man as the Cherry and Whites seek a triumph on the road – something very hard to come by in the Gallagher Premiership.
Jackson Willison
The experienced midfielder plays his first home game for Bath after a summer switch from Worcester Warriors. Gloucester Rugby will be focusing on his offloading game, and his link up with the powerful Jamie Roberts.
Joe Cokanasiga
Another new summer signing for Todd Blackadder’s men, the England-international is a strong ball carrier, evasive runner and caught the eye in London Irish colours last season. Bath have threats all across the board, with Semesa Rokoduguni on the opposite wing.
Match Stats
Bath Rugby have won just two of their last seven Gallagher Premiership Rugby matches, at Kingsholm in April and at home to London Irish in May. Bath have not lost their opening two matches of a Premiership Rugby campaign since 2009/10.
Gloucester Rugby beat Northampton 27-16 at Kingsholm in round 1 but have not won their opening two fixtures of a season since 2007-08. Gloucester’s only victory in their last six away games in Premiership Rugby was on a visit to London Irish in March.
Each side won its respective away game when the two sides met last season. Gloucester have won just once in their last four visits to the Recreation Ground in all competitions.
Charlie Sharples is on 48 Premiership tries
Last Time Out
Gloucester Rugby 27-16 Northampton Saints
Bristol Bears 17-10 Bath Rugby
Last Three
30 Apr 17 – Bath Rugby 44-20 Gloucester Rugby
29 Oct 17 – Bath Rugby 21-22 Gloucester Rugby
28 Apr 18 – Gloucester Rugby 20-43 Bath Rugby
Team News
Bath Rugby
15. Tom Homer, 14. Semesa Rokoduguni, 13. Jackson Willison, 12. Jamie Roberts, 11. Joe Cokanasiga, 10. Freddie Burns, 9. Max Green; 1. Nathan Catt, 2. Tom Dunn, 3. Henry Thomas; 4. Dave Attwood, 5. Matt Garvey (c); 6. Zach Mercer, 7. Sam Underhill, 8. Taulupe Faletau
Replacements
16. Jack Walker, 17. Jacques van Rooyen, 18. Anthony Perenise; 19. Elliott Stooke, 20. Tom Ellis, 21. Chris Cook, 22. Rhys Priestland, 23. Aled Brew
Gloucester Rugby
15. Jason Woodward, 14. Charlie Sharples, 13. Henry Trinder, 12. Billy Twelvetrees, 11. Matt Banahan, 10. Danny Cipriani, 9. Callum Braley 1. Val Rapava-Ruskin, 2. James Hanson, 3. Fraser Balmain; 4. Ed Slater (c), 5. Mariano Galarza, 6. Ruan Ackermann, 7. Lewis Ludlow, 8. Ben Morgan
Replacements
16. Franco Marais, 17. Josh Hohneck, 18. Ciaran Knight; 19. Freddie Clarke, 20. Jake Polledri; 21. Ben Vellacott, 22. Mark Atkinson, 23. Tom Hudson
Match Officials
Bath Rugby v Gloucester Rugby (The Rec, 4:30pm) Live on BT Sport
Referee: Luke Pearce (77th Premiership game).
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson & Roy Maybank. TMO: Geoff Warren.
Citing Officer: Danae Zamboulis with Shaun Gallagher.
How To Follow
This Saturday’s game is Live on BT Sport from 4:00pm, and there will be live commentary via BBC Radio Gloucestershire who will in place at The Rec.
Follow all of the club channels for live updates on the matchday live blog, Twitter and behind the scenes on Instagram.
Enjoy the game!
After the Cherry and Whites got their season underway last week with a victory over Northampton Saints, and Johan Ackermann’s men head to The Rec looking to repeat their victory at the same ground last October, but with a disappointing defeat in the reverse fixture at Kingsholm fresh in the mind.
Here are a number of players to watch this weekend.
Henry Trinder
The centre’s form in Cherry and White last season saw him receive a nod from his country against the Barbarians, and as the routine of the new season kicks into play, he will be looking to star this weekend in a fascinating midfield battle.
James Hanson
The Gloucester pack were in fine form in Round One, and face a Bath pack that would argue they got the better of their opponents Bristol Bears in their opener. The scorer of Gloucester’s first try of the new season, the Australian hooker will be a key man as the Cherry and Whites seek a triumph on the road – something very hard to come by in the Gallagher Premiership.
Jackson Willison
The experienced midfielder plays his first home game for Bath after a summer switch from Worcester Warriors. Gloucester Rugby will be focusing on his offloading game, and his link up with the powerful Jamie Roberts.
Joe Cokanasiga
Another new summer signing for Todd Blackadder’s men, the England-international is a strong ball carrier, evasive runner and caught the eye in London Irish colours last season. Bath have threats all across the board, with Semesa Rokoduguni on the opposite wing.
Match Stats
Bath Rugby have won just two of their last seven Gallagher Premiership Rugby matches, at Kingsholm in April and at home to London Irish in May. Bath have not lost their opening two matches of a Premiership Rugby campaign since 2009/10.
Gloucester Rugby beat Northampton 27-16 at Kingsholm in round 1 but have not won their opening two fixtures of a season since 2007-08. Gloucester’s only victory in their last six away games in Premiership Rugby was on a visit to London Irish in March.
Each side won its respective away game when the two sides met last season. Gloucester have won just once in their last four visits to the Recreation Ground in all competitions.
Charlie Sharples is on 48 Premiership tries
Last Time Out
Gloucester Rugby 27-16 Northampton Saints
Bristol Bears 17-10 Bath Rugby
Last Three
30 Apr 17 – Bath Rugby 44-20 Gloucester Rugby
29 Oct 17 – Bath Rugby 21-22 Gloucester Rugby
28 Apr 18 – Gloucester Rugby 20-43 Bath Rugby
Team News
Bath Rugby
15. Tom Homer, 14. Semesa Rokoduguni, 13. Jackson Willison, 12. Jamie Roberts, 11. Joe Cokanasiga, 10. Freddie Burns, 9. Max Green; 1. Nathan Catt, 2. Tom Dunn, 3. Henry Thomas; 4. Dave Attwood, 5. Matt Garvey (c); 6. Zach Mercer, 7. Sam Underhill, 8. Taulupe Faletau
Replacements
16. Jack Walker, 17. Jacques van Rooyen, 18. Anthony Perenise; 19. Elliott Stooke, 20. Tom Ellis, 21. Chris Cook, 22. Rhys Priestland, 23. Aled Brew
Gloucester Rugby
15. Jason Woodward, 14. Charlie Sharples, 13. Henry Trinder, 12. Billy Twelvetrees, 11. Matt Banahan, 10. Danny Cipriani, 9. Callum Braley 1. Val Rapava-Ruskin, 2. James Hanson, 3. Fraser Balmain; 4. Ed Slater (c), 5. Mariano Galarza, 6. Ruan Ackermann, 7. Lewis Ludlow, 8. Ben Morgan
Replacements
16. Franco Marais, 17. Josh Hohneck, 18. Ciaran Knight; 19. Freddie Clarke, 20. Jake Polledri; 21. Ben Vellacott, 22. Mark Atkinson, 23. Tom Hudson
Match Officials
Bath Rugby v Gloucester Rugby (The Rec, 4:30pm) Live on BT Sport
Referee: Luke Pearce (77th Premiership game).
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson & Roy Maybank. TMO: Geoff Warren.
Citing Officer: Danae Zamboulis with Shaun Gallagher.
How To Follow
This Saturday’s game is Live on BT Sport from 4:00pm, and there will be live commentary via BBC Radio Gloucestershire who will in place at The Rec.
Follow all of the club channels for live updates on the matchday live blog, Twitter and behind the scenes on Instagram.
Enjoy the game!
