Jonny May to make first Gloucester appearance of season in West Country derby

England and Gloucester winger Jonny May is set to make his first appearance of the season for Gloucester tomorrow, two days after being named in Eddie Jones' 36-player squad for a three-day camp this weekend.

Just days after Gloucester succumbed to an agonising 41-39 loss to Saracens at the StoneX in the Gallagher Premiership on Saturday, they welcome back some big names for the West Country derby against Bath at the Rec in the Premiership Rugby Cup.

The 69-cap international has been held back so far by head coach George Skivington in the Cherry & Whites' opening three matches of the season after having a shorter preseason following his positive Covid result while on tour with England in Australia.

The 32-year-old is joined by captain Lewis Ludlow in the starting XV, who is also making his first appearance of the season. He will partner Jake Polledri on either flank of the scrum after the Italy international made his comeback last week against Worcester Warriors in the Premiership Rugby Cup after almost two years out with a knee injury.

Bath's starting XV also features four debutants- fullback Sam Harris, outside centre Louie Hennessey and the second-row pairing of Michael Etete and JJ Tonks.

Bath XV

15. Sam Harris

14. Ruaridh McConnochie

13. Louie Hennessey

12. Will Butt

11. Gabe Goss

10. George Worboys

9. Max Green

1. Arthur Cordwell

2. Tom Doughty

3. Johannes Jonker

4. Michael Etete

5. JJ Tonks

6. Tom Ellis ©

7. Ethan Staddon

8. Nahum Merigan

Replacements

16. John Stewart

17. Archie Stanley

18. Kieran Verden

19. Mackenzie Graham

20. Thompson Cowan

21. Tom Carr-Smith

22. Max Wright

23. Darren Atkins

Gloucester XV

15. Kyle Moyle

14. Tom Seabrook*

13. Jack Reeves*

12. Giorgi Kveseladze

11. Jonny May*

10. George Barton*

9. Stephen Varney*

1. Ciaran Knight*

2. Henry Walker*

3. Bryan O’Connor

4. Arthur Clark*

5. Cameron Jordan*

6. Jake Polledri*

7. Lewis Ludlow ©*

8. Jack Clement*

Replacements

16. Seb Blake*

17. Fred Ma’a*

18. James Pollard*

19. Freddie Thomas*

20. Jack Bartlett*

21. Matty Jones*

22. Isaac Marsh*

23. Jake Morris*

*Denotes academy player or graduate