Both hooker Mears (shoulder) and prop Stevens (knee) failed to last beyond the hour and Gloucester also suffered a major injury concern in front of watching England manager Martin Johnson when Mike Tindall limped off nursing an ankle problem.

James Simpson-Daniel's first-half try made the difference as Gloucester clinched top spot after 22 games heading into the play-offs.

And while they will be favourites to beat Leicester, Bath face an altogether tougher task in pursuit of a possible first league title since 1996.

Bath head coach Steve Meehan said: ''We are disappointed with the result, we didn't execute things as we should have done.

''We will have to play the breakdown area a lot better against Wasps. We will need to throw everything at them.

''There is an eight-day turnaround so the players have a chance to recharge and get this out of their system.

''Clearly, it would be a tremendous result to go to Wasps and win, it is a tremendous challenge.''

Despite Tindall's early departure, Gloucester kept their shape and discipline to book a home semi-final.

Simpson-Daniel's 34th-minute try shaded an intense encounter, preserving Gloucester's place at the Premiership summit and consigning Bath to third spot.

Gloucester-bound Olly Barkley booted two penalties for the visitors but a scoreless second period reflected how two committed sides cancelled each other out.

Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan paid tribute to the contributions of Simpson-Daniel and workaholic Fijian flanker Akapusi Qera.

But he is taking nothing for granted against a Leicester side who grabbed the last play-off spot through a dramatic victory over Harlequins.

Ryan said: ''There is no special recipe for success.

''We have got to work hard during the week. Wasps play a certain way and Bath have a pretty unique style.

''We will need to look at how Leicester have played the last few games, looking at their strengths and weaknesses.''