Match preview

12 April 2012, 11:55am

Hooper and Heathcote return for Edgeley Park visit

Bath Rugby Club Captain, Stuart Hooper, and fly-half, Tom Heathcote, both return to the starting line-up as the squad prepare for their Round 20 Aviva Premiership Rugby clash with Sale Sharks on Friday night at Edgeley Park, kick-off 19.45.

Heathcote comes in to renew his halfback partnership with Michael Claassens and Hooper starts in the engine room alongside Dave Attwood.

Elsewhere in the pack, Nathan Catt and David Wilson scrum down either side of Ross Batty, who is handed the starting number 2 shirt, whilst Ben Skirving, Carl Fearns and Simon Taylor continue in the back row.

Olly Barkley is named at inside centre, alongside Matt Banahan, who shifts to outside centre from the wing. Matt Carraro moves outside to the wing, with Tom Biggs on the opposite side. Nick Abendanon completes the starting line-up at fullback.

Bath Rugby team to face Sale Sharks

15. Nick Abendanon
14. Matt Carraro
13. Matt Banahan
12. Olly Barkley
11. Tom Biggs
10. Tom Heathcote
9. Michael Claassens
1. Nathan Catt
2. Ross Batty
3. David Wilson
4. Stuart Hooper (c)
5. Dave Attwood
6. Ben Skirving
7. Carl Fearns
8. Simon Taylor

Replacements

16. Pieter Dixon
17. Charlie Beech
18. Anthony Perenise
19. Ryan Caldwell
20. Josh Ovens
21. Mark McMillan
22. Sam Vesty
23. Dan Hipkiss