Match preview

9 December 2011, 12:34pm

Louw and Donald return for Bath Rugby

Southern hemisphere duo Francois Louw and Stephen Donald will be back in action for Bath Rugby on Sunday, as they welcome reigning European champions, Leinster to the Recreation Ground for the crunch Round 3 match of the Heineken Cup, kick-off 12.45pm.

Louw comes in on the blindside, with Guy Mercer and Simon Taylor completing the back row. Ryan Caldwell and Dave Attwood combine in the second row, whilst David Flatman and David Wilson scrum down either side of Chris Biller, who will make his first start for Bath Rugby.

Donald returns to partner Michael Claassens in the half-backs, as Matt Banahan and Jack Cuthbert line up in the wings. Olly Barkley and Dan Hipkiss form a new centre partnership, with Nick Abendanon returning to full-back.

Director of Rugby, Sir Ian McGeechan, said "This European game is a great challenge for us, and it's this kind of game that we all want to be part of. Our situation with injuries is much the same as last week, although unfortunately now with the addition of Stuart Hooper, who has a fractured wrist. Leinster are obviously a good side, and have been setting the standard in Europe for the last couple of seasons, so it's great to be playing them at the Rec, in front of a full house. It's what we all want to be involved in, and is a great opportunity for us, and a great occasion."

Bath Rugby team to face Leinster

15. Nick Abendanon

14. Jack Cuthbert

13. Dan Hipkiss

12. Olly Barkley

11. Matt Banahan

10. Stephen Donald

9. Michael Claassens

1. David Flatman

2. Chris Biller

3. David Wilson

4. Dave Attwood

5. Ryan Caldwell

6. Francois Louw (c)

7. Guy Mercer

8. Simon Taylor

Replacements

16. Charlie Beech

17. Nathan Catt

18. Anthony Perenise

19. Will Spencer

20. Andy Beattie

21. Chris Cook

22. Tom Heathcote

23. Sam Vesty