Bath Rugby make seven changes to the starting XV for the highly anticipated West Country derby against rivals Bristol Bears in Round 7 of the Gallagher Premiership (kick-off 19:45, live on BT Sport 1).
The Blue, Black and White travel to Ashton Gate to face Bristol Bears on Friday night as the Gallagher Premiership returns with a bang.
The forward pack are altered for the match with Charlie Ewels, Will Stuart and Beno Obano missing as they begin their preparations for England’s Guinness Six Nations campaign as they face Scotland next week.
Juan Schoeman and Christian Judge come into the front row and sit either side of Tom Dunn, with Josh McNally takings over captaincy in Ewels’ absence and is partnered by Elliott Stooke in the second row.
Josh Bayliss replaces Taulupe Faletau at blindside, Miles Reid comes in for Sam Underhill, and Zach Mercer keeps his place at No. 8.
Josh Matavesi returns to the starting line-up in midfield to partner Jonathan Joseph and the smiling Fijian comes in for Cameron Redpath, who has spent the week with Scotland following his first call-up in preparation for the Guinness Six Nations.
Gabriel Hamer-Webb is the only other change coming onto the wide channel with Ruaridh McConnochie.
Bath Rugby side to face Bristol Bears
15. Tom de Glanville, 14. Ruaridh McConnochie, 13. Jonathan Joseph, 12. Josh Matavesi, 11. Gabriel Hamer-Webb, 10. Rhys Priestland, 9. Ben Spencer; 1. Juan Schoeman, 2. Tom Dunn, 3. Christian Judge, 4. Josh McNally (C), 5. Elliott Stooke, 6. Josh Bayliss, 7. Miles Reid, 8. Zach Mercer
Replacements
16. Jack Walker, 17. Jamie Bhatti, 18. Henry Thomas, 19. Mike Williams, 20. Taulupe Faletau, 21. Will Chudley, 22. Cameron Redpath, 23. Joe Cokanasiga
Bristol Bears team to face Bath Rugby
15. Charles Piutau; 14. Luke Morahan, 13. Semi Radradra, 12. Piers O’Conor, 11. Henry Purdy; 10. Ioan Lloyd, 9. Andy Uren; 1. Jake Woolmore, 2. Bryan Byrne, 3. John Afoa, 4. Dave Attwood, 5. Chris Vui, 6. Steven Luatua (c), 7. Dan Thomas, Nathan Hughes.
Replacements
16. Will Capon, 17. Yann Thomas, 18. Jake Armstrong, 19. Ed Holmes, 20. Jake Heenan, 21. Tom Kessell, 22. Callum Sheedy, 23. Alapati Leiua.
