Bath first up for Gloucester

BRYAN REDPATH could not have asked for a better introduction to life as a Guinness Premiership head coach after West Country rivals Bath were named as his first opponents.

The clash sees local bragging rights at stake from the very first whistle of the new campaign on the opening weekend of September, with Kingsholm providing the backdrop for the big day of drama.

Gloucester's James Simpson-Daniel touches down to score Gloucester's first try despite the tackle of Bath's Olly Barkley during the Guinness Premiership match at Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday May 10, 2008. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire.

Former centre Olly Barkley will come back to his former club after choosing to return to the Rec following just one season at the Cherry and Whites.

Meanwhile, one of Gloucester's new signings, 28-year-old Samoan centre Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, will also come face to face with his former employers after making the short journey north.

"It's a massive game to kick things off. Bath were one of the form teams, if not the form team in the Guinness Premiership last season. They played expansive rugby and competed well on all fronts," said Redpath.

"It'll be a great occasion at Kingsholm for both sets of supporters. It's bound to be a tough game – games between Gloucester and Bath always are and especially the two meetings last season – but I'm really looking forward to it.

"Now that we've got the draft fixtures through we've got something to focus on. Absolutely everything we do from here on in, from fitness training through to the pre-season friendlies, will be geared towards that first game against Bath and the subsequent matches."

The two teams will meet in pre-season first at Kingsholm for the joint Andy Hazell/Lee Mears testimonial match on August 15, but the opening weekend will see both sides fielding much changed squads.

Redpath's charges re-visit Steve Meehan's men on Boxing Day hoping to repeat last year's historic triumph when Gloucester won for the first time ever in the league at the Rec.

They know their big rivals will be wanting to exact revenge, especially after the double was then completed over them in February.

Gloucester lost their opening match at Kingsholm last year at the hands of eventual champions Leicester Tigers, 20-8, and will be keen to not make the same mistake.