Gloucester Rugby: Derby record means nothing at The Rec – Hogg

DERBY fever leaves form meaningless for tomorrow’s West Country clash, believes Gloucester assistant boss Carl Hogg.

Former Bath centre Mike Tindall will captain Gloucester at his old stomping ground, in a Cherry and Whites squad containing six ex-Blue Black and Whites.

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Tindall, Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, Freddie Burns and Alex Brown all start against a club where they once resided, while Will James and Tom Voyce are the two former Bath men on the bench.

Scotland internationals Rory Lawson, Scott Lawson and Jim Hamilton and England man Charlie Sharples are all back on club duty, and all start.

Fit-again Pete Buxton takes a seat on the bench, with youngster Tom Savage keeping his place at blindside flanker after impressing in last week’s 27-24 Northampton victory.

Gearing up for a pivotal derby clash, assistant coach Hogg said Gloucester must not count on their recent good run against their fierce rivals.

Gloucester have only lost once in their last eight contests with Bath, and could record a first-ever double Premiership double over Ian McGeechan’s men tomorrow (kick-off 2.30pm).

Hogg explained: “Form goes totally out of the window for this game.

“So forget the fact that Bath have won their last four, forget the fact that we beat Northampton last week.

“And definitely forget our recent record against Bath.

“We’ve got to appreciate the derby intensity factor, but not let that rule how we approach the game.”

Jonny May continues at full-back given Olly Morgan’s season-ending knee injury, while James Simpson-Daniel continues on the wing.

Up front Nick Wood and Rupert Harden continue at prop, with lineout boss Brown at lock and in-form pair Akapusi Qera and Matt Cox holding their back-row slots.

GLOUCESTER: Jonny May, Charlie Sharples, Mike Tindall (capt), Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, James Simpson-Daniel, Freddie Burns, Rory Lawson, Nick Wood, Scott Lawson, Rupert Harden, Jim Hamilton, Alex Brown, Tom Savage, Akapusi Qera, Matt Cox. Replacements: Darren Dawidiuk, Dan Murphy, Shaun Knight, Will James, Pete Buxton, Dave Lewis, Ryan Mills, Tom Voyce.

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