RUGBY: Louw returns for derby clash (From Wiltshire Times)

RUGBY: Louw returns for derby clash

12:03pm Thursday 28th February 2013 in Sport

FRANCOIS Louw returns to skipper the side in one of four changes for Bath's Aviva Premiership clash with west country rivals Gloucester at the Rec tomorrow night (8pm).

Louw come back in as blindside flanker, Banahan joining Kyle Eastmond in the centres, with international props Paul James (Wales) and David Wilson (England) also picked, after being released by their countries.

James and Wilson pack down either side of hooker Rob Webber, asDominic Day and Dave Attwood continue in the second row.

Louw's return means Carl Fearns switches to the openside and Ben Skirving continues at number eight.

Peter Stringer links up with Tom Heathcote at scrum-half and fly-half respectively, Tom Biggs starting on the left wing and Argentinian international Horacio Agulla on the right.

Nick Abendanon completes the line-up at fullback.

Lock Day said: “It’s a really big occasion. I live in town and people keep coming up to me and saying what a big game it is for Bath.

"There’s been that extra edge in training and the coaches have been demanding that bit more as well.

"They’ll be hurting from the defeat in the LV= Cup (32-5 in January) and we know they’ll be coming down here looking for revenge and we have been preparing for that.”

Bath: 15. Nick Abendanon, 14. Horacio Agulla, 13. Matt Banahan, 12. Kyle Eastmond, 11. Tom Biggs, 10. Tom Heathcote, 9. Peter Stringer, 1. Paul James, 2. Rob Webber, 3. David Wilson, 4. Dominic Day, 5. Dave Attwood, 6. Francois Louw (capt), 7. Carl Fearns, 8. Ben Skirving.

Replacements: 16. Ross Batty, 17. Nathan Catt, 18. Anthony Perenise, 19. Will Spencer, 20. Mat Gilbert, 21. Michael Claassens, 22. Sam Vesty, 23. Semsea Rokoduguni.

MORE BATH RUGBY NEWS & PICTURES IN FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES AND NEWS FROM THE GLOUCESTER MATCH AT WILTSHIRETIMES.CO.UK/SPORT

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