Ackermann gets No.8 jersey

PREVIEW: Gloucester will make the short trip to Bath on Tuesday to take on their West-Country rivals at the Recreation Ground.

George Skivington has handed a full debut to Argentine international, Matias Alemanno, who made an impressive impact off the bench against Harlequins last week. Alemanno partners former Bath man, Matt Garvey in the second row.

Jack Singleton and Ruan Ackermann return to the pack after missing last week’s game, with Ackermann stepping in at No.8, and Jake Polledri switching to blindside flank.

There’s also a welcome return for Willi Heinz as he makes his first appearance since the restart, following a successful recovery from injury. He will link up with Lloyd Evans at flyhalf, who steps up from the bench alongside Billy Twelvetrees at inside centre.

In the back three Matt Banahan comes in at fullback to face his former club, with Thorley and May retaining their spots on the wings.

🍒 TEAM NEWS

𝑾𝒆𝒔𝒕-𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝑫𝒆𝒓𝒃𝒚 𝑫𝒂𝒚 🤩

9️⃣ Heinz returns
🇦🇷 First start for Alemanno
🛁 Banahan & Garvey face former club

Team sheet proudly sponsored by @BPE_Solicitors #BATvGLO

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— Gloucester Rugby (@gloucesterrugby) September 21, 2020

Meanwhile, Anthony Watson is one of four Bath changes for the match

The England international comes back into contention and replaces Tom de Glanville, who has impressed in recent weeks.

Semesa Rokoduguni replaces Gabriel Hamer-Webb on the wide channel whilst Elliott Stooke comes in for Josh McNally at lock and Tom Ellis moves into the back row for Josh Bayliss.

A notable return sees Joe Cokanasiga return to the bench for the first time this season after suffering a knee injury on England duty at Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan.

The Round 21 fixture will see 1,000 spectators welcomed back into the Rec as the third Rugby Union match to host supporters.

Prediction: Bath by four points

Teams:

Bath: 5 Anthony Watson, 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Ruaridh McConnochie, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Ben Spencer, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Tom Ellis, 5 Charlie Ewels, 4 Elliott Stooke, 3 Will Stuart, 2 Tom Dunn, 1 Beno Obano.
Replacements: 16 Jack Walker, 17 Lewis Boyce, 18 Christian Judge, 19 Josh McNally, 20 Miles Reid, 21 Will Chudley, 22 Cameron Redpath, 23 Joe Cokanasiga

Gloucester: 15 Matt Banahan, 14 Ollie Thorley, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Billy Twelvetrees, 11 Jonny May, 10 Lloyd Evans, 9 Willi Heinz, 8 Ruan Ackermann, 7 Lewis Ludlow (captain), 6 Jake Polledri, 5 Matias Alemanno, 4 Matt Garvey, 3 Fraser Balmain, 2 Jack Singleton, 1 Val Rapava-Ruskin.
Replacements: 16 Henry Walker, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Jack Stanley, 19 Ed Slater, 20 Jordy Reid, 21 Joe Simpson, 22 Tom Seabrook, 23 Louis Rees-Zammit.

Date: Tuesday, September 22
Venue: Recreation Ground, Bath
Kick-off: 17.30 (16.30 GMT)