Most Premiership attention this weekend surrounds Friday night's Recreation Ground clash between second-placed Bath and leaders Gloucester.

Gloucester have never won a league game on Bath soil, claiming just three draws from 16 previous visits.

Bath, meanwhile, boast an unbeaten home record against all Premiership opponents stretching back to November 2006, which highlights Gloucester's degree of difficulty.

But if Gloucester can tear up the history book, then they could move 10 points clear less than halfway through the Premiership campaign.

Head coach Dean Ryan said: "We have given ourselves a great start in the Premiership and in the Heineken Cup this season.

"And over the next six or seven games we have to consolidate that.

"There is a deep understanding of what we want to achieve in the long term, and we are beginning to see the results of keeping the group together and a development process that is another 12 months further along.

"Both teams are in good form and at the top of the league.

"We appreciate the significance of this game, but we have a series of important matches over the next month, and this is another in that list."

England centre Mike Tindall has recovered from a leg injury suffered early in the 27-0 success against Bristol last weekend to line up against his former club.

Anthony Allen partners Tindall in Gloucester's midfield, with Ryan making just two changes - prop Carlos Nieto and flanker Peter Buxton are recalled - following the Bristol victory.

Bath head coach Steve Meehan makes 11 changes from the side beaten 25-10 by Wasps at Adams Park last Saturday.

Only full-back Nick Abendanon, wing Joe Maddock, prop David Barnes and lock Danny Grewcock remain as Meehan fields a host of internationals, including England World Cup quartet Steve Borthwick, Olly Barkley, Matt Stevens and Lee Mears.

Form: Bath Rugby's 10-25 reversal at London Wasps on Saturday ended a six game winning run in the Guinness Premiership. Bath are unbeaten in their last dozen Premiership matches at The Rec since Bristol won there 19-12 in November 2006. Gloucester Rugby have won their last eight matches in all competitions since a 26-29 loss to Wasps at Adams Park in the EDF Energy Cup on 4 November. Gloucester's only loss in the Guinness Premiership this season was 10-15 at London Irish on 21 October. Gloucester have never won at The Rec in a league match, gaining just three draws in 16 previous visits.

Bath: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Joe Maddock, 13 Alex Crockett, 12 Olly Barkley, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 Butch James, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Daniel Browne, 7 Michael Lipman, 6 Andy Beattie, 5 Danny Grewcock, 4 Steve Borthwick (c), 3 Matt Stevens, 2 Lee Mears, 1 David Barnes.

Replacements: 16 Pieter Dixon, 17 Paulica Ion, 18 Peter Short, 19 Jonny Faamatuainu, 20 Nick Walshe, 21 Shaun Berne, 22 Michael Stephenson.

Gloucester: 15 Willie Walker, 14 James Simpson-Daniel, 13 Mike Tindall, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Lesley Vainikolo, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Rory Lawson, 8 Luke Narraway, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Peter Buxton, 5 Alex Brown, 4 Marco Bortolami (c), 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Olivier Azam, 1 Nick Wood.

Replacements: 16 Jeremy Paul, 17 Patrice Collazo, 18 Will James, 19 Alasdair Strokosch, 20 Mike Prendergast, 21 Chris Paterson, 22 Leon Lloyd.

Date: Friday, January 4

Venue: The Rec

Kick-off: 20:00

Referee: Wayne Barnes

Touch judges: Paul Dix, Peter Huckle

Television match official: Laurie Bryant, Graham Hughes

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