Prem Rugby's derby weekend returns on Friday night, as Gloucester host Bath Rugby in the West Country derby.
The hosts have been one of the surprises of the 2026/27 Prem Rugby season so far, winning two of their three matches domestically to this point, with the Cherry and Whites also securing a famous 36-36 European Rugby Champions Cup draw against defending champions Bordeaux last weekend.
For the visitors, two wins from three - with their sole defeat coming at the hands of last season's champions Northampton Saints - has been a solid return, as they look to climb the table and regain a place in the competition's showpiece.
The hosts are forced into a change in the pack, with captain Dewi Lake unavailable for the visit of their rivals, replaced at hooker by Seb Blake, who is joined in the front row by Val Rapava Ruskin and Ciaran Knight.
Jean Kleyn and Arthur Clark continue in the second row, in front of a back row featuring Jack Clement, Freddie Thomas and Jac Morgan, who captains the side in his countryman's absence.
Caolan Englefield and Charlie Atkinson continue their pairing at half back, with Max Llewellyn and Will Joseph forming the centre pairing, while George Barton, Ollie Thorley and Will Knight complete the side.
Gloucester legend Lewis Ludlow is named amongst the replacements and is set to feature in what is his testimonial fixture.
Meanwhile, the visitors have made a number of changes to their squad, for the short trip across the West Country.
Santi Carreras is named to start at 15 against his former side, joined in the back three by Louis Hennessey and Tyler Offiah, who make their first starts of the season.
Ollie Lawrence and Cameron Redpath form the centre partnership for just the second time this campaign, outside of the familiar Finn Russell and Ben Spencer at half back.
Beno Obano, Kepueli Tuipulotu and Archie Griffin make up the front row, in front of a lock pairing which features Charlie Ewels and Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi, who makes his first Prem start of the season.
Josh Bayliss and Guy Pepper are named on the flanks, joined in the back row by Miles Reid, who completes the side.
Gloucester Rugby team news
Starting XV: 15 George Barton, 14 Ollie Thorley, 13 Will Joseph, 12 Max Llewellyn, 11 Will Knight, 10 Charlie Atkinson, 09 Caolan Englefield; 1 Val Rapava Ruskin, 2 Seb Blake, 3 Ciaran Knight, 4 Jean Kleyn, 5 Arthur Clark, 6 Freddie Thomas, 7 Jac Morgan (c), 8 Jack Clement.
Replacements: 16 Jack Innard, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Afo Fasogbon, 19 Will Trenholm, 20 Lewis Ludlow, 21 Dan Robson, 22 Max Knight, 23 Ben Redshaw.
Bath Rugby team news
Starting XV: 15 Santi Carreras, 14 Louie Hennessey, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Cameron Redpath, 11 Tyler Offiah, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben Spencer; 1 Beno Obano, 2 Kepueli Tuipulotu, 3 Archie Griffin, 4 Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi, 5 Charlie Ewels, 6 Josh Bayliss, 7 Guy Pepper, 8 Miles Reid.
Replacements: 16 Dan Frost, 17 Scott Kirk, 18 Kieran Verden, 19 Ross Molony, 20 Ted Hill, 21 Tom Carr-Smith, 22 Ciaran Donoghue, 23 Arthur Green.
