Gloucester make two changes to their starting line-up for the visit of old rivals Bath in the Gallagher Premiership tomorrow (3pm).

With only four rounds remaining, every remaining game is important and the fact that it’s a local derby just adds a little extra spice to what is sure to be a highly charged occasion at Kingsholm.

The Cherry and Whites are able to name an unchanged pack from the side that started away at Northampton Saints last Sunday. However, further injuries to the back line mean that they have to reshuffle their back three once again.

Tom Hudson and Charlie Sharples, who started in the win at Northampton, have been ruled out and are replaced by Henry Purdy and Tom Seabrook. Matt Banahan moves to full-back.

There are also changes among the replacements. Gareth Denman comes in for Ruan Dreyer, Lewis Ludlow for Tom Savage and there is a first call-up to the first-team matchday squad for 18-year-old winger Louis Rees-Zammit, the latest product of the Gloucester Rugby Academy who has been featuring regularly in the Premiership Rugby Shield this season.

Head coach Johan Ackermann stressed that Gloucester have to treat Saturday’s game like any other.

“We don’t look at Bath any differently from any other game,” he said. “I know it is for the supporters, and I appreciate that, all the history etc that makes this game so special for them.

“We’ve put ourselves in a position where we must just focus on ourselves and we could be playing any team on Saturday. For us it’s about can we play well, can we put the pressure on the other side through playing well?

“We were complacent at Bristol after two good wins, but we have to believe that we can maintain our form. They’re a quality side, full of international players, and played well against us earlier in the season. It won’t be easy, but it’s a nice challenge to have.”

Gloucester: 15. Matt Banahan; 14. Tom Seabrook, 13. Billy Twelvetrees, 12. Mark Atkinson, 11. Henry Purdy; 10. Danny Cipriani, Willi Heinz (capt); 1. Josh Hohneck, 2. Franco Marais, 3. Fraser Balmain; 4. Ed Slater, 5. Franco Mostert; 6. Ruan Ackermann, 7. Jaco Kriel, 8. Ben Morgan. Replacements: 16. Mike Sherry, 17. Val Rapava Ruskin, 18. Gareth Denman, 19. Freddie Clarke, 20. Lewis Ludlow, 21. Jake Polledri, 22. Callum Braley, 23. Louis Rees-Zammit. Unavailable for selection: Ruan Dreyer, Lloyd Evans, Gerbrandt Grobler, James Hanson, Tom Hudson, Tom Marshall, Charlie Sharples, Ollie Thorley, Henry Trinder, Owen Williams, Jason Woodward.

Bath: 15. Tom Homer; 14. Joe Cokanasiga, 13. Jonathan Joseph, 12. Jamie Roberts, 11. Ruaridh McConnochie; 10. Freddie Burns, 9. Kahn Fotuali’I; 1. Beno Obano, 2. Tom Dunn, 3. Max Lahiff, 4. Dave Attwood, 5. Charlie Ewels (capt), 6. Tom Ellis, 7. Sam Underhill, 8. Zach Mercer. Replacements: 16. Jack Walker, 17. Jacques van Rooyen, 18. Anthony Perenise, 19. Elliott Stooke, 20. Miles Reid, 21. Will Chudley, 22. Rhys Priestland, 23. Max Clark.