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Elliott Stooke to make first start for Bath Rugby on Saturday

Bath Rugby will hand second row Elliott Stooke his first start for the club in the West Country derby against Gloucester at the weekend.

Stooke will be partnered by Charlie Ewels while Dave Attwood, who like Stooke used to represent Gloucester, has been dropped down to the bench.

In-form George Ford and Kahn Foutali'i are partnered in midfield by Matt Banahan and Aled Brew while the back three of Tom Homer, Anthony Watson and Semesa Rokoduguni is unchanged from last weekend's loss at Leicester.

Todd Blackadder, Director of Rugby, said: “We’re obviously really keen to bounce back from last weekend, and what better what to do that than with a West Country derby?

"We’ve rotated the squad slightly, with Elliott and Tom starting, and we know they will both be really eager to put in strong performances, especially Elliott against his former club.

“The co-captaincy between George and Matt has been happening on the field already this season and is a partnership that is working well for us.

"They both have great leadership qualities, and obviously each have their own areas of expertise – Matt with the forwards and technical aspects, and George with running the game and the wider look at things.”

Bath Rugby team to face Gloucester

15. Tom Homer

14. Semesa Rokoduguni

13. Aled Brew

12. Matt Banahan

11. Anthony Watson

10. George Ford (c)

9. Kahn Fotuali’i

1. Nathan Catt

2. Tom Dunn

3. Henry Thomas

4. Charlie Ewels