Ed Slater is named in the Gloucester starting line-up for Sunday’s Aviva Premiership fixture at Bath, one of a number of players returning to the matchday squad having recovered from injury.

The second row returns to partner Tom Savage in the boiler room having missed the past three games due to a finger injury. Also returning from injury are Jeremy Thrush, Andy Symons and Ollie Thorley who are all named among the replacements.

However, a new addition to the injury list following the Agen game last week is full-back Jason Woodward, which forces a reshuffle in the backs, with Billy Burns set to wear the number 15 shirt and Owen Williams moving back to fly-half from inside centre.

Sunday will be head coach Johan Ackermann’s first experience of a West Country derby and he admitted that he’s heard lots about it, but that the team will go into the game having prepared as they always do.

“I’ve heard a few people talking about it, but have to admit that I’m not too sure about the whole history of it,” he said. “But to me it’s quite important that we treat it as just another game. We play a lot of games and you can’t make one game more special than another, your focus must be the same.

“We have to work hard to reach our standards and be proud of the jersey that we wear every game. I believe that your process of what you want to achieve has to be the same for every single game.”

“Bath have started very well in the Premiership. Last week they showed that they can play in all kinds of conditions. They have a quality team and are also getting some players back from injury. So, they’re going to be strong.

“I know Todd Blackadder from coaching against him in Super Rugby and I have the highest respect for what he’s achieved as a player and a coach. I know it’s going to be a massive challenge on Sunday.”

Gloucester: 15. Billy Burns; 14. Henry Purdy, 13. Henry Trinder, 12. Billy Twelvetrees, 11. David Halaifonua; 10. Owen Williams, 9. Willi Heinz (capt); 1. Josh Hohneck, 2. Richard Hibbard, 3. John Afoa; 4. Tom Savage, 5. Ed Slater; 6. Ruan Ackermann, 7. Lewis Ludlow, 8. Ben Morgan. Replacements: 16. Motu Matu’u, 17. Val Rapava Ruskin, 18. Gareth Denman, 19. Jeremy Thrush, 20. Jacob Rowan, 21. Ben Vellacott, 22. Andy Symons, 23. Ollie Thorley. Unavailable for selection: Mark Atkinson, Fraser Balmain, Tom Denton, Lloyd Evans, Mariano Galarza, Tom Marshall, Ross Moriarty, Matt Scott, Charlie Sharples, Jason Woodward.