Gloucester have named an unchanged starting XV for Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership trip to the Rec to take on Bath (4.30pm).

The only change to the matchday squad following the win over Northampton sees Mark Atkinson take over from Owen Williams among the replacements.

It’s a game that is always one of the highlights on the Premiership fixture calendar.

Gloucester will be looking to make it two wins from two while Bath will be seeking to bounce back after tasting defeat last Friday at newly-promoted Bristol Bears.

Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann admitted that he’s expecting a reaction from a strong Bath side that didn’t do itself justice in the opening round of action.

“Obviously we played the first 20-25 minutes well against Northampton and then after that we lost a bit of shape and didn’t have much possession, particularly in the second half,” he said. “Far from perfect, but you’d take 15 of those types of wins every season!

“It’s early days and dangerous to look too closely at any one result. But, if you look at the Bath team, it’s a good team. They had a lot of opportunities to win the game but Bristol are a quality, well-coached side.

“We can’t take anything for granted. The one thing we do know is that they will be fired up and ready to go for this match.”

Meanwhile, Bath include former Gloucester fly-half Freddie Burns in their starting line-up.

He is part of a new half-back pairing with scrum-half Max Green.

The rest of the backline remains unchanged, as Jackson Willison continues in the midfield alongside Jamie Roberts. Joe Cokanasiga and Semesa Rokoduguni retain their places on the wing, with Tom Homer at full-back.

There is one change in the pack with Tom Dunn coming into the front row, with the hooker starting alongside Nathan Catt and Henry Thomas. Dave Attwood will also come up against his old club, as he features at lock alongside captain Matt Garvey.

Zach Mercer starts at blindside flanker, fresh from signing a two-year contract extension this week. Sam Underhill and Taulupe Faletau complete the back row at openside flanker and number eight respectively.

Jacques van Rooyen could make his first appearance for the club, while Tom Ellis is in line to make his 50th appearance for the club.

Bath: 1. Nathan Catt, 2. Tom Dunn, 3. Henry Thomas, 4. Dave Attwood, 5. Matt Garvey, 6. Zach Mercer, 7. Sam Underhill, 8. Taulupe Faletau, 9. Max Green, 10. Freddie Burns, 11. Joe Cokanasiga, 12. Jamie Roberts, 13. Jackson Willison, 14. Semesa Rokoduguni, 15. Tom Homer. Replacements: 16. Jack Walker, 17. Jacques van Rooyen, 18. Anthony Perenise, 19. Elliott Stooke, 20. Tom Ellis, 21. Chris Cook, 22. Rhys Priestland, 23. Aled Brew.

Gloucester: 15. Jason Woodward; 14. Charlie Sharples, 13. Henry Trinder, 12. Billy Twelvetrees, 11. Matt Banahan; 10. Danny Cipriani, 9. Callum Braley; 1. Val Rapava Ruskin, 2. James Hanson, 3. Fraser Balmain; 4. Ed Slater (capt), 5. Mariano Galarza; 6. Ruan Ackermann, 7. Lewis Ludlow, 8. Ben Morgan. Replacements: 16. Franco Marais, 17. Josh Hohneck, 18. Ciaran Knight, 19. Freddie Clarke, 20. Jake Polledri, 21. Ben Vellacott, 22. Mark Atkinson, 23. Tom Hudson. Unavailable for selection: Gareth Denman, Ruan Dreyer, Willi Heinz, Jaco Kriel, Tom Marshall, Paddy McAllister, Tom Savage, Ollie Thorley, Owen Williams.