The Gareth Chilcott column:

Two seasons ago, Bristol did the double over Bath in the Guinness Premiership and also beat them in the EDF Energy Cup. What has happened since is that Bath have bought wisely, evolved their playing style and continued to build their squad.

They have recruited well, bringing in quality players in key positions. I have praised the signings of Butch James and Michael Claassens before, and I will do so again, because they have added so much to Bath's game.

Steve Meehan now has his feet under the table at the Rec and has turned Bath into a well-rounded side, a team where every player knows his role and, more often than not, performs it well.

Derby days are a good time to compare the clubs of this great rugby region, and if Bristol had a good opportunity two years ago to really compete with Bath, then they certainly have not taken it.

Bath have improved their squad and improved the way they play, but Bristol have tried to hang on without spending too much money. They have relied on players coming to the end of their career, and at times it has been apparent that with every game they are getting a game older.

Bristol are down at the bottom of the table, and while stranger things have happened, I cannot see them getting anything from their trip to the Rec. I would be very surprised if Bath do not have a big win today. I loved playing in really tight derbies, ones where you genuinely did not know who was going to come out on top, and I have enjoyed watching many similar games down the years.

And while Bristol have improved in their two most recent games, my worry about them today is that sides who know they are on their way down can compete while the scoreline is close – but once they get a few scores behind they can very quickly become demoralised.

My only doubt today is not about who will win the match, but whether Bath can go out and get a try-scoring bonus point.

The match at Welford Road between Leicester and Gloucester promises to be a real cracker, very much in the vein of last weekend's Gloucester-Bath derby.

It is so tough to call the winner of this one, but I think Leicester – with home advantage – might just sneak it. Whatever happens, Gloucester have certainly got themselves in a very good position in the Premiership with six games to play.