By Cherrybomb
May 2 2002

On Saturday, Gloucester take on Bath in the age old west country derby. This is the match Gloucester and Bath look forward to all season as they are so eager to get one over on the other. Bath have injuries to worry about, so you can expect Gloucester to come out with all guns firing. If there is one match in the premiership season that is certain to bring out a great atmosphere, Gloucester - Bath at Kingsholm would without a doubt be it. Since 1987 though, Bath have won a staggering 78% of matches against the Cherry-And-Whites, and as there is a danger of them being relegated (we can only hope), they will come out desperate for a win. Hopefully Gloucester will be on the rebound from their loss by a single point on Sunday, as with Bath's back line having an average age of just 20, This is a weakness Gloucester will want to infiltrate. Maybe if it is a dry day, Gloucester will stray from the traditional, and try to play with the backs, as well as dominating in the forwards as usual.

Henry Paul will be pleased to start, as he wasn't picked for England against the Barbarians, so will want to impress to get himself on the England tour in the summer. He will start at the unorthodox position of full back, where he is almost certain to do better than Chris Catling, who played abysmally at Northampton on Sunday. I know this isn't a view taken by many Gloucester supporters, and don't get me wrong, Chris Catling can play very well, but at the moment I think full back is our weakest position. Hopefully Henry Paul will prove that this is where he plays best, as so far this season he has been very disappointing. I feel that if you have a full back, he should always run the ball if he has support, unless he can clear the lines well, which Catling can't.

Colazzo will come in for Woodman, who has been picked in the England squad for the game against the Barbarians. Other changes could be Fortey at hooker, though Azam could start. Diego Albanese, who has been overlooked lately, will take over from injured Daren O'Leary. Diego is a quality player, and he combines speed and agility together so well. Unfortunately he always seems to fall over!

Bath have some serious injury problems, with Mike Tindall and Iain Balshaw being ruled out for the rest of the season. This is to blame for the inexperienced back line, which fans of the worst team in the world blame for there shocking form (Oh dear..!) this season.

Expected score: Gloucester 43 - Bath 13

Jokes: I would like to set up a page with jokes, funny stories, funny pics etc, Gloucester related. If you would like to take the micky out of Bath or Leicester, or make Rob Andrew the target of a joke, e-mail me: cherrybomb@glosrfc.com