Gloucester's Tom Voyce is kept under wraps by the Quins defence during last week's heavy defeat at The Stoop © Getty Images

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Matches: Gloucester Rugby 23 - 6 Bath Rugby

Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership

Teams: Bath Rugby | Gloucester Rugby

It's third from bottom against third from top as Gloucester welcome Bath to Kingsholm for an intriguing West Country derby.

Gloucester made a decent start to the season, picking up five points from their first two games courtesy of a narrow defeat at Northampton - a game that they should have won - and a comfortable victory over Worcester. However, their old failities returned last weekend as they were routed 42-6 by Harlequins at The Stoop. As a result, it will be fascinating to see how the Cherry and Whites respond this weekend.

Bath have impressed to date, opening with a commanding win at Newcastle before only narrowly losing out to Saracens and then ending Exeter's perfect start at The Rec last weekend. The visitors will be viewing this as the perfect opportunity to underline their play-off credentials.

Gloucester - Player to Watch: At inside centre Lesley Vainikolo will hope to punch holes through Bath's defence. The former England international will be going all out to ensure that he does not fall into the list of forgotten internationals.

Gloucester - Team News: Tim Taylor returns to fly-half after starting their first two matches of the season. Also returning to the starting line up are Jonny May, Darren Dawidiuk and, after serving a one match suspension, Will James who is back at the expense of Alex Brown who aggravated a shoulder injury last weekend. Peter Buxton will continue to skipper a side which is still missing the likes of Andy Hazell (thumb), Dave Lewis (groin), Tim Molenaar (pectoral muscle), Luke Narraway (back) and James Simpson-Daniel (ankle). Selected in the squad for the first time is Argentinean international hooker Matias Cortese who is named amongst the replacements.

Bath - Player to Watch: Nathan Catt has the potential to be a mainstay in the Bath front-row for years to come. With the likes of David Flatman and Duncan Bell in the squad, Catt has a wealth of experience to call on and he will look to put down his marker in the West Country clash.

Bath - Team News: Dave Attwood is called in to make his second start for Bath Rugby joining Ryan Caldwell in the second row, with Academy lock, Will Spencer coming onto the bench. Duncan Bell is joined in the front row by Nathan Catt and Ross Batty, with Charlie Beech, who will make his first competitive for Bath should he come on, and Mark Lilley respectively taking their places on the bench. Michael Claassens takes over the captain's armband, and returns to the starting line-up to partner Sam Vesty in the half backs, with Mark McMillan taking his place on the bench. Jack Cuthbert comes into the starting line-up on the wing, with Matt Carraro and Dan Hipkiss shifting inside.

Key Battle: Bath's Dave Attwood is back on his old stamping ground and in the guise of Will James he will face a ferocious competitor. James will be going all out to ensure the England international does not enjoy his return to Kingsholm.

Trivia: Bath took the 2008 European Challenge Cup at Kingsholm with a 24-16 victory over Worcester.

Stats: Gloucester achieved the Premiership double over Bath last season, whilst Bath have not beaten Gloucester at Kingsholm since 25 February 2006

Quote Unquote:

"They've changed their style a little since Geech took over, they've been such an expansive, offloading team in the past. He has changed it a little bit and last year we were fortunate to come away with two results against Bath. But it's a new year and a new team and we have to be wary of them."
- Gloucester's Bryan Redpath prepares to face his previous mentor Sir Ian McGeechan.

"If we could go up there, put in a really strong performance and turn the tables on them (Gloucester), it would really add some venom to our season. While the players have probably moved on (from last season's result), I know the backroom staff and supporters still talk about that match."
- Bath's Dave Attwood prepares to visit his old side

Prediction: In a hard fought match, Bath's experience will just be enough to push them over the line by a small margin.