Bath v Gloucester: Teams

Buxton: Back for Bath trip

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The top two teams in the Guinness Premiership table clash in a mouth-watering encounter, as leaders Gloucester travel to face second-placed Bath in a west country derby at The Rec in Friday night's live Sky Sports game.

Gloucester went clear at the top of the table after last week's 27-0 victory over local rivals Bath, and they now face another derby as they make the short trip to second-placed Bath.

Cherry and Whites coach Dean Ryan has made just the two changes to his starting XV that beat Bristol last week, with flanker Peter Buxton and prop Carlos Nieto coming into the line-up.

Buxton plays as blindside flanker in place of December's Premiership Player of the Month Alasdair Strokosch, while Nieto comes in for Christian Califano at tighthead prop.

As Gloucester look for a first ever away win at Bath, Ryan has kept faith with his backs, meaning Mike Tindall has recovered from the calf injury which forced him off against Bristol last week.

Iain Balshaw is still out with a gashed knee enabling Willie Walke to remain at full-back.

Gareth Delve misses out with a knee injury, and Andy Titterrell is also unavailable because of a shoulder problem meaning Jeremy Paul retains his place on the bench.

Rotation

Bath coach Steve Meehan has come under criticism for rotating players, but he names a full-strength squad as his second-placed side play host to the league leaders in a top-of-the-table clash.

Captain Steve Borthwick is back in the starting XV, and will play in the second row alongside Danny Grewcock.

Olly Barkley is another big-name international back in the Bath line-up, as they look to close the five-point gap at the top of the table.

Another England international returns in the shape of prop Matt Stevens, while South African duo Butch James and Michael Claassens come back in after being rested against Wasps.

Bath: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Joe Maddock, 13 Alex Crockett, 12 Olly Barkley, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 Butch James, 9 Michael Claassens; 1 David Barnes, 2 Lee Mears, 3 Matt Stevens, 4 Steve Borthwick (c), 5 Danny Grewcock, 6 Andy Beattie, 7 Michael Lipman, 8 Daniel Browne

Replacements: 16 Pieter Dixon, 17 Paulica Ion, 18 Peter Short, 19 Jonny Faamatuainu, 20 Nick Walshe, 21 Shaun Berne, 22 Michael Stephenson

Gloucester: 15 Willie Walker, 14 Leon Lloyd, 13 Mike Tindall, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 James Bailey, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Rory Lawson; 1 Nick Wood, 2 Olivier Azam, 3 Carlos Nieto, 4 Marco Bortolami (c), 5 Alex Brown, 6 Peter Buxton, 7 Akapusi Qera, 8 Luke Narraway

Replacements: 16 Jeremy Paul, 17 Patrice Collazo, 18 Will James, 19 Alasdair Strokosch, 20 Mike Prendergast, 21 Chris Paterson, 22 Mark Foster