DEFIANT Jon Callard has vowed that his under-performing Bath stars will "stand up and be counted'' against one of the most fearsome packs in the Premiership.
Head coach Callard is standing firm in his belief that the team can prise themselves away from the league's basement battle, starting against fierce local rivals Gloucester at the Rec tomorrow (2.15pm).
Bath's fragile confidence is bound to be put under fierce examination by the second-placed Cherry & Whites following last weekend's disastrous crash at Wasps.
But Callard claimed: "The league position is not good, but at least we have got the chance to fight and put it right.
"We're not expecting anyone to do it for us.
"This game is against one of the best teams in the Premiership, so what an opportunity for us.
"I don't see anybody going back into their shells. It's a special occasion and they have to stand up and be counted.''
He added: "The players had a bad day last Sunday but that doesn't make them bad players.
"The good thing is that it's a short week and we are up against quality opposition who we have to perform against to get a result.''
A packed 8,200 house at the Rec will witness the latest round in one of English rugby's most long-running rivalries.
But the Bath coach was fullsome in his praise of the Kingsholm side , who have mounted a formidable challenge for silverware this season.
"Gloucester have played some outstanding rugby this season and they deserve to be right up there,'' he said.
"Without a doubt, with Leicester they are the best pack in the Premiership.
"They are more physical than Leicester, although Leicester are probably a bit more streetwise.''
Callard has given the team that slumped so dismally at Wasps last weekend a chance to make amends by naming unchanged line-up for the clash with the Cherry & Whites.
Club skipper Dan Lyle has failed to recover on time from a hamstring injury Mark Gabey takes his place.
Bath: Perry, Balshaw, Maggs, Mike Tindall, Voyce, Catt, Cooper, Barnes, Regan, Mallett, Borthwick, Grewcock, Thomas, Scaysbrook, Gabey. Subs: Williams, Long, Hopcroft, Barkley, Danielli, El Abd, Beattie
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