Experienced duo Lewis Moody and Stuart Hooper could return for Bath’s West Country derby with Gloucester tomorrow afternoon.

Bath have won just one of their last eight encounters with Gloucester and first- team coach Martin Haag says the Cherry and Whites’ pacy back three will have to be contained if that recent dominance is to have any chance of ending.

“Gloucester-Bath is always a great occasion,” said the forwards boss.

“We haven’t done as well against Gloucester as we would have liked in recent times and we are hoping to turn that around this weekend.

“Local derbies are normally fiery affairs and tense battles, and I expect nothing different.

“Gloucester have a good pack of forwards and have some electric backs. They are a very dangerous team.

“You can’t give them the opportunity to run the ball back. We’ll need to look after the ball and be patient.

“It will be physical, I’m sure, and it’s one the guys are really relishing.”

Gloucester have won just one away game in the Aviva Premiership in the last 12, while Bath will be buoyed by having won their last four games at The Rec.

Captain Hooper is poised to make his third comeback of the season as he recovers from a fractured eye-socket, while Moody’s rehabilitation from a shoulder operation is close to complete.

Jack Cuthbert has returned to training following a niggle but the club’s other full-back, Nick Abendanon, still has a question mark over his fitness following a groin strainsuffered while playing for England Saxons.

Former Bath Academy member Freddie Burns is rubbing his hands at the prospect of returning to The Rec with Gloucester.

The England Saxon fly-half penned a new deal with the Cherry and Whites earlier this season but admits to always looking forward to a return to his old stomping ground.

The 21-year-old former Beechen Cliff pupil, whose younger brother Billy has followed in his footsteps by joining Gloucester’s Academy, was initially on Bath’s books.

“I can’t wait to get down to The Rec to be honest, that’s one of the first fixtures I look for,” he said this week.

“If we play like we played in those first ten minutes against Northamptin Saints last weekend, and we apply ourselves like that, then I think we can come away with a result.”

Burns kicked 17 points as Gloucester edged out Northampton at Kingsholm, including a vital late penalty.

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