Confident Bath ready for decider

Bath go into their semi-final location decider with Gloucester high on confidence after handing out a thrashing to Saracens last week.

Head coach Steve Meehan said: “There is no need for us to panic or be too concerned just at the moment. We may as well enjoy things whilst they are going well. I am really looking forward to the match.”

In stark contrast to the last time the table topping sides faced each other, the sun is now shining and the ground is firm. “We expect the day to be nice and fine,” said Meehan. “Hopefully it will bring out the best in both teams.

“Both sides have played some good attractive rugby over the course of this season and both sides like to score tries. They will be aggressive in their decision making and we will see plenty of ball movement.”

Ensuring the squad are fully prepared, Meehan evaluated Gloucester’s most dangerous players: “Their forwards pack is getting better and better as the season progresses and that is always a dangerous thing. Ryan Lamb is someone who is widely spoken about and who is very important to their team. They have threats all over the place and we will have to be at our best to come up with a favourable result.”

Having received treatment for a hamstring injury, Nick Abendanon is rested, and hat-trick scorer, Tom Cheeseman, takes the place of Alex Crockett - who now moves to the bench.

Bath Rugby:
15. Joe Maddock
14. Andrew Higgins
13. Tom Cheesmen
12. Olly Barkley
11. Matt Banahan
10. Butch James
9. Michael Claassens
1. David Flatman
2. Lee Mears
3. Matt Stevens
4. Steve Borthwick (c)
5. Danny Grewcock
6. Jonny Faamatuainu
7. Michael Lipman
8. Daniel Browne

Replacements:
16. Pieter Dixon
17. Duncan Bell
18. Peter Short
19. Chris Goodman
20. Nick Walshe
21. Shaun Berne
22. Alex Crockett