Catt to Make First Start of the Season for Bath Rugby Against Gloucester

Bath Rugby’s Nathan Catt will make his first start of the season in the Aviva Premiership West Country derby against Gloucester Rugby at the Recreation Ground on Sunday, kick-off 15:00.

Catt, who made his 150th appearance for the Club as a replacement last week, starts at loosehead prop, with Tom Dunn and Anthony Perenise continuing alongside him.

The squad sees one other change to that which beat Scarlets, with the return of Matt Banahan on the left wing, and includes all eight players who were called-up for international duty this week.

Rhys Priestland, who was recalled by Wales for their four-match series, continues at fly-half, after a match-winning performance against his former club. Priestland and his half-back partner Kahn Fotuali’i will be looking to pull the strings once again in round seven of the Aviva Premiership.

For the third match running, Max Clark and Jonathan Joseph form the centre partnership, whilst Banahan comes in for Aled Brew on the left wing. Semesa Rokoduguni and Anthony Watson line-up on the right wing and fullback respectively to complete the back three.

Charlie Ewels captaining the side at second row alongside Luke Charteris, as Taulupe Faletau, who scored a hat-trick in this fixture last season at the Rec, takes his place at number eight. Zach Mercer and Sam Underhill join Faletau in the back row.

There’s a welcome return to action for Club captain Matt Garvey, who is named among the replacements.

Unavailable for selection: Dave Attwood, Ross Batty, Freddie Burns, Chris Cook, Tom Ellis, Shaun Knight, Francois Louw, Kane Palma-Newport, Henry Thomas, Jeff Williams.

Bath Rugby team to face Gloucester Rugby

15. Anthony Watson

14. Semesa Rokoduguni

13. Jonathan Joseph

12. Max Clark

11. Matt Banahan

10. Rhys Priestland

9. Kahn Fotuali’i

1. Nathan Catt

2. Tom Dunn

3. Anthony Perenise

4. Luke Charteris

5. Charlie Ewels (c)

6. Zach Mercer

7. Sam Underhill

8. Taulupe Faletau

Replacements

16. Jack Walker

17. Beno Obano

18. Scott Andrews

19. Elliott Stooke

20. Matt Garvey

21. Darren Allinson

22. Josh Lewis

23. Aled Brew