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Few sportspeople will be under as much scrutiny this weekend as newly appointed England captain Dylan Hartley.

Not only has the Northampton hooker, 29, got to cope with the intensity of a game against the Auld Enemy on their turf, but he's also taking on his first game since replacing Chris Robshaw as skipper.

The decision has been widely described as controversial, predominantly down to his career total of 54 weeks out suspended, but Hartley has been inspired by the negative reactions.

"The captaincy thing, the whole media circus - the sideshow that I don't really want to do but I understand that I have got to do - and everyone wanting to see me muck up is making me prepared for this game in a good way," he said.

Yes, we do have our eyes on the Premiership but it would be amiss to neglect tomorrow's massive start to the Six Nations.

So here are a few morsels to sate your appetite.

Still plenty to play for from Gloucester's perspective, and David Humphreys will be happy his side bounced back from a desperately sapping opening quarter to remain in the contest.

Mike Ford's side were adventurous, shunning the tee from one of their many penalties to go for the line. Only one try but if they continue to dominate the set-piece, more could follow.

Finely poised.

Dan Bowden's long kick downfield is returned into touch by Gloucester at the end of a first half that Bath lead 8-3.

All one-way traffic by Bath for about 25 minutes but credit to Gloucester, who failed to buckle and showed a bit of mettle as the clock ticked on.

Still Dominic Day's score and a penalty by Tom Homer have given the home side the advantage, with James Hook nailing one from two of his penalty attempts.

Not too fiery so far, in truth a well and fairly contested derby - aided by Bath's utter dominance of the set-piece early on.

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The clock is in the red and Bath are still rumbling on...

Some positive phases by Gloucester there but Bath eventually wrap up Ben Morgan as he lacked a bit of support to get the penalty.

Bath will smash it into touch and get the line-out...

Bit of Gloucester grunt drives them up to the 10-metre line in Bath territory.

Time is ticking down...

Gloucester lost a bit of ground in that move, and eventually Willi Heinz just clips into touch to turn Bath round.

Bath drill it long. Line-out to Gloucester around halfway.

James Hook swings that right boot but it's short and wide and Bath can counter from deep.

Disappointing, but a tough ask.

Bath kick to touch and the visitors have a line-out, which they drive in the host's half.

Brilliant Gloucester defence turns into attack as Tom Homer clung on to the ball a bit too long.

The visitors opt for the tee, James Hook gets his radar set.

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Bath get a penalty after a wheeling scrum goes against Gloucester.

They don't find touch though and the kick comes back their way.

Gritty in midfield. Still Bath lead.

Davey Wilson comes up from that collapsed scrum looking desperate for a breath of oxygen. The delay gives him a chance to suck it in.

Another forward pass lets Gloucester down when finally moving into a promising position. They're starting to run the ball more dangerously.

James Hook is the go-to man.

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Knock-on from Willi Heinz from a towering Bath bomb, but the home side continue without the advantage.

However, Gloucester are let off, Dan Bowden's pass sailing forward as it headed toward Matt Banahan on this left edge.

James Hook has the range from that penalty. Gloucester finally on the board.

Most crucially, Bath have seen playmaking centre Kyle Eastmond go off with what looks like a hamstring injury. Max Clark is on. 

Gloucester whizz the ball right from the line-out. Encouraging.

However, the clock has been stopped as referee Matthew Carley penalises Bath for deliberate knock-on.

Gloucester have head and feed inside their own half, and look to run the ball away from danger.

James Hook dinks into space looking for a chase but play comes back for a high tackle on Charlie Sharples.

Chance for the visitors to build some pressure.

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It'll be interesting to see if we get more of a back-line game from Bath now they've built up a lead.

It's been mostly the forwards so far.

Bath almost set Semesa Rokoduguni away on the right but the pass is forward. Matt Banahan showing his dangerous threat earlier in the move.

So far Bath have been ruthless, hungry, and used their power at the set-piece to advantage.

Tom Savage is about to return for Gloucester and that will be a boost, they've missed his presence.

This time Bath do take the points, and Tom Homer lands it perfectly.

Eight-point lead now.