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Attwood To Captain Strong Bath Squad In Gloucester Derby

Bath Rugby have named the strongest team of their West Country Challenge Cup campaign so far, for their match against Gloucester at the Rec on Friday.

Dave Attwood will captain Mike Ford's side, in what is poised to be a closely contested local affair.

Tom Ellis will join Attwood in the second row, while Guy Mercer will operate on the openside, Max Northcote-Green on the blindside and Leroy Houston packing down at the base of the scrum.

Ford has opted for a strong front row, comprising Nick Auterac, Ross Batty and Henry Thomas.

The half-back pairing of scrum-half Chris Cook and fly-half Kyle Eastmond promises much creativity, while Ollie Devoto will provide additional capacity in this area at inside centre.

Matt Banahan will line up just outside Devoto, and will be expected to provide a real threat in the outside channel.

Semesa Rokoduguni and Jeff Williams are on the wings, with Tom Homer at fullback.

The derby fixture takes place as part of the Club’s Festival of Rugby, alongside the free Red Bull Uni 7s games.

Following the match, the Club will be screening the Rugby World Cup match between England and Wales on screens around the ground.

The Bath Rugby team to face Gloucester in full:

15 Tom Homer

14 Semesa Rokoduguni

13 Matt Banahan

12 Ollie Devoto

11 Jeff Williams

10 Kyle Eastmond

9 Chris Cook