Todd Blackadder makes case for defence

Bath are not only on the rebound from a 53-10 Aviva Premiership drubbing against Saracens last weekend, they also face the French Top 14's leading points scorer in Gaetan Germain, who booted 23 points as Brive beat Montpellier last time out.

"Brive have a huge forward pack so discipline has to be key," Bath rugby director Blackadder said.

"They've also got the best goalkicker in the competition, so we have got to deny them the ball and play the attacking rugby we've talked about.

"The fact it is a knockout game gives us that extra pressure we need, making Brive almost the perfect team to bounce back against. We will have to match them physically, but also try to run them off their feet."

Saracens' loss was Bath's heaviest league defeat since 2002, but Blackadder continued: "Looking back, I really think that defeat at Saracens was the best thing that has happened to us for a long time.

"We were absolutely ripped apart, and I feel like the last month has been a slow death.

"We just haven't been playing the rugby we've been practising and preparing for. Now we have really got to turn this around and show a good response."

England fly-half George Ford is rested for Brive's Recreation Ground visit - Wales international Rhys Priestland deputises - while Australian Nathan Charles makes his debut in the front-row and England Under-20 star Zach Mercer joins back-row colleagues Tom Ellis and Taulupe Faletau.

Gloucester, bidding to win the Challenge Cup for a record-equalling third time this season, welcome back Wales forward Ross Moriarty for Saturday's Kingsholm appointment with Cardiff Blues.

Moriarty, wing Charlie Sharples and centre Billy Twelvetrees comprise changes following last week's Premiership victory over Bristol, while the Blues' starting XV includes former Wales captains Sam Warburton and Gethin Jenkins.

Gloucester rugby director David Humphreys said: "We know how important this game is. It's a knockout competition, one that we have enjoyed over the course of the last couple of years, and everyone is looking forward to it.

"We've talked all along about the opportunities to qualify for the Champions Cup next season.

"We want to get back to Kingsholm, show our supporters what this team is all about, build on last week's performance and build back a bit of pride with a big performance. Knockout rugby brings its own pressures, but I know we will respond to it this weekend."

The Blues were Challenge Cup winners in 2010, and head coach Danny Wilson added: "The goal for everyone concerned is a European trophy. If we were fortunate enough to get near that and challenge for it, it would be a great achievement for this group.

"These are the games you want to be in as a coach and a group of players, and we've got that opportunity on Saturday night."

Sunday's Challenge Cup quarter-final sees Blues' fellow Welsh challengers the Ospreys facing Stade Francais.

The Ospreys, whose quarter-final tie was switched to Cardiff's Principality Stadium due to their usual Liberty Stadium home being required by Swansea City this weekend, won all six pool games with bonus points.

"Stade had a big win over Toulon last weekend, which answers any questions anyone may have had about their mindset after the recent merger talks (with Racing 92)," Ospreys head coach Steve Tandy said.

"They have quality across the park, an immensely-physical pack and strength in depth in every position, so you can't look to isolate individual threats.

"There is plenty of quality in our squad as well, and we are welcoming back into the team individuals who have shown they can do it at the highest level - quality players and proven leaders."