Bath Rugby name strong side for final European pool game

Bath Rugby has named a strong team to face Pau in the final pool stage of the European Rugby Challenge Cup on Saturday at the Recreation Ground, kick-off 15:00.

The starting XV sees just one change to that which powered to a 57-22 victory against Bristol Rugby last week, with Kane Palma-Newport replacing Max Lahiff, who is unwell, at tighthead.

Palma-Newport scrums down in the front row with Tom Dunn and Nathan Catt, who was today announced in the England squad for the RBS 6 Nations.

Charlie Ewels and Elliott Stooke make up the second row, with Francois Louw, Zach Mercer and Paul Grant completing an impressive pack.

Robbie Fruean, a try scorer in the derby, will make his home debut alongside England international Jonathan Joseph in the midfield, as Semesa Rokoduguni and Anthony Watson bring pace and power off the wings and the in-form Tom Homer continues at fullback, as the Club look to secure their place in the quarter-finals of the competition.

The influential half-back pairing of Kahn Fotuali’i and George Ford, who amassed 30 points between them last week, will be looking to kick on from where they left off against the French side.

Director of Rugby, Todd Blackadder, said: “I’m really proud of the way we have learnt from recent defeats to produce last week’s performance against Bristol. The key for us is to ensure we back that up and take it with us in the coming weeks, starting with Pau tomorrow at the Rec. We’re back in the driving seat in the group now, and the fate of our European destiny lies in our hands. Pau showed us in France that they can be a bit of a handful, so we’ll need to make sure we’re on our game but the boys know what they have to do and are up for it.”

Unavailable for selection: Dave Attwood, Nick Auterac, Matt Banahan, Dan Bowden, Max Clark, David Denton, Matt Garvey, Max Lahiff, Taulupe Faletau, Henry Thomas

Please note, due to a limited camera operation at the Rec on Saturday, we are unfortunately unable to show a live feed of the game on the big screen.

Tickets for the game are still available, with kids tickets available for just £1! Click here or call the Ticket Office on 0844 448 1865 to join us at the Rec tomorrow.

Bath Rugby team to face Pau

15. Tom Homer

14. Semesa Rokoduguni

13. Jonathan Joseph

12. Robbie Fruean

11. Anthony Watson

10. George Ford (co-capt)

9. Kahn Fotuali’i

1. Nathan Catt

2. Tom Dunn

3. Kane Palma-Newport

4. Charlie Ewels