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