Team News: Cokanasiga & Watson return for Bath, Los Puma lock starts for Gloucester

Gloucester Rugby will make the short trip to Bath tomorrow to take on their West-Country rivals at the Recreation Ground. (5.30pm KO)

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 8, and Jake Polledri switching to blindside flanker.

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 fly half, who steps up from the bench alongside Billy Twelvetrees at inside centre.

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

Anthony Watson is one of four changes to the Bath side as 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 backrow 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. Part of the government’s pilot programme to return fans to sporting events, this will be the first time Blue, Black and White supporters can return to the Rec in 205 days.

BATH RUGBY

15. Anthony Watson, 14. Semesa Rokoduguni, 13. Jonathan Joseph, 12. Josh Matavesi, 11. Ruaridh McConnochie, 10. Rhys Priestland, 9. Ben Spencer; 1. Beno Obano, 2. Tom Dunn, 3. Will Stuart, 4. Elliott Stooke, 5. Charlie Ewels (C), 6. Tom Ellis, 7. Sam Underhill, 8. Taulupe Faletau

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; 1. Val Rapava-Ruskin, 2. Jack Singleton, 3. Fraser Balmain, 4. Matt Garvey, 5. Matias Alemanno, 6. Jake Polledri, 7. Lewis Ludlow ©, 8. Ruan Ackermann

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.

GLOUCESTER RUGBY

Matt Banahan, 14. Ollie Thorley, 13. Chris Harris, 12. Billy Twelvetrees, 11. Jonny May, 10. Lloyd Evans, 9. Willi Heinz; 1. Val Rapava-Ruskin, 2. Jack Singleton, 3. Fraser Balmain, 4. Matt Garvey, 5. Matias Alemanno, 6. Jake Polledri, 7. Lewis Ludlow ©, 8. Ruan Ackermann

REPLACEMENTS

Henry Walker, 17. Corne Fourie, 18. Jack Stanley, 19. Ed Slater, 20. Jordy Reid, 21. Joe Simpson, 22. Tom Seabrook, 23. Louis Rees-Zammit.