The 26-year-old, who joined the Academy in 2014, made his first-team debut a year later in the Anglo-Welsh Cup and has since become an integral player for the Blue, Black and White.

His drive to better himself was rewarded with his first England cap in this year’s Guinness Six Nations and he is now set for another fantastic milestone.

The Good Friday clash at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi will also be a special occasion for two of Bath’s current Senior Academy crop and Academy graduate Miles Reid.

Homegrown trio Reid, Orlando Bailey and Max Ojomoh will make their European debuts from the start in Italy, earning places at blindside flanker, fly-half and inside centre respectively.

Last weekend, Bailey wore the 10 shirt for the first time in the Gallagher Premiership while Ojomoh earned his maiden run out in the competition as a replacement. Reid has 32 senior Bath caps to his name.

Ojomoh’s inclusion sees Max Clark switch to outside centre and Semesa Rokoduguni comes into the back three alongside Joe Cokanasiga and Anthony Watson. Ben Spencer continues at scrum-half.

Six Nations winner and Player of the Championship nominee Taulupe Faletau returns to a back row which includes Reid and England international Sam Underhill.

Fellow England man Will Stuart is back at tighthead and Elliott Stooke is reinstated at lock after being rested for the trip to London Irish. Also in the second row, Josh McNally will captain Bath and Jack Walker keeps his place at hooker.

On the bench, Jacques du Toit could make his Bath debut. The South African has waited patiently for his opportunity since joining from the Cheetahs and is named as the replacement number two.

Josh Bayliss and Max Wright return to the 23 following spells on the sideline with injury.

Bath Rugby side to face Zebre

15. Anthony Watson, 14. Semesa Rokoduguni, 13. Max Clark, 12. Max Ojomoh, 11. Joe Cokanasiga, 10. Orlando Bailey, 9. Ben Spencer; 1. Beno Obano, 2. Jack Walker, 3. Will Stuart, 4. Josh McNally ©, 5. Elliott Stooke, 6. Miles Reid, 7. Sam Underhill, 8. Taulupe Faletau

Replacements

16. Jacques du Toit, 17. Jamie Bhatti, 18. Henry Thomas, 19. Will Spencer, 20. Josh Bayliss, 21. Will Chudley, 22. Max Wright, 23. Alex Gray

THE HOSTS

15. Gabriele Di Giulio, 14. Pierre Bruno, 13. Tommaso Boni ©, 12. Enrico Lucchin, 11. Giovanni D’Onofrio, 10. Carlo Canna, 9. Marcello Violi; 1. Danilo Fischetti, 2. Luca Bigi, 3. Giosué Zilocchi, 4. David Sisi, 5. Ian Nagle, 6. Potu Junior Leavasa, 7. Maxime Mbandà, 8. Renato Giammarioli

REPLACEMENTS

16. Oliviero Fabiani, 17. Andrea Lovotti, 18. Eduardo Bello, 19. Leonard Krumov, 20. Iacopo Bianchi, 21. Joshua Renton, 22. Paolo Pescetto, 23. Federico Mori

Obano to become Bath Rugby centurion v Zebre

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