GLOUCESTER RUGBY recall fit-again front rower Afoa
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- Last Updated on Friday, 05 February 2016 19:46
- Published on Friday, 05 February 2016 00:06
Fit-again prop forward John Afoa returns to the Gloucester Rugby starting at Bath as one of three changes to the side that lost to Leicester.
Prop Afoa makes his first appearance of 2016 having injured his calf against Harlequins in Big Game 8 at Twickenham on December 27. He replaces Paul Doran-Jones.
Steve McColl moves to the left wing from full back to replace David Halaifonua with Bath-born Billy Burns starting at 15. In the second row Mariano Galarza comes in for Jeremy Thrush.
Aside from the usual question of local bragging rights, both teams head into the derby bristling at having squandered leads last weekend – Gloucester were 12-0 up at home to Tigers while Bath led 13-0 at Saracens at half time before losing 19-13.
Gloucester director of rugby David Humphreys said: "We all know how disappointing it was to lose in the way we did, in the last minute. We're also conscious that it was the first of a 10 game block in the Aviva Premiership. The season doesn't stand and fall on one defeat.
"We've got a huge challenge at Bath and that was a big factor in getting everyone's minds back on the task in hand. We're well aware of the challenge ahead.
"It's a tough one. But, it's probably fair to say at this stage, that every Premiership game will be tough when you see what's at stake at both ends of the table. One or two wins takes you up and, in the same way, one or two defeats can knock you down a couple of places.
As for tonight's derby at Bath, Humphreys says: "It’s hugely exciting. It's a game that everyone you meet looks forward to and we've got a great chance to bounce back from Saturday.”
Gloucester Rugby starting 15 Billy Burns 14 Charlie Sharples 13 Bill Meakes 12 Billy Twelvetrees (capt) 11 Steve McColl 10 James Hook 9 Willi Heinz 1 Paddy McAllister 2 Richard Hibbard 3 John Afoa 4 Tom Savage 5 Mariano Galarza 6 Sione Kalamafoni 7 Jacob Rowan 8 Ben Morgan
Ready on the bench 16 Darren Dawidiuk 17 Nick Wood 18 Nicky Thomas 19 Elliott Stooke 20 Matt Kvesic 21 Callum Braley 22 Mark Atkinson 23Ross Moriarty
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