Bath Rugby kick-off their pre-season this evening with a first hit out against Aviva Premiership rivals Newcastle Falcons in Bezier, kick-off 18.30 (local time).
The game, which forms part of the Beziers Feria, is the first opportunity for the coaching team to see the boys in the heat of the battle this season, before they take on Bristol Rugby on Saturday afternoon at the Rec (kick-off 15.00).
With some players unavailable through injury or due to England's own pre-season camp, a 27-man squad has been named, with each player getting a minimum of 40 minutes of game time to get them nicely back into the swing of things.
There will be debut appearances for Anthony Watson, Matt Garvey and Leroy Houston amongst the starters, with Ollie Devoto making his first appearance in the centres. Other summer signings David Sisi, Martin Roberts, Mickey Young and Alafoti Fa'osiliva will all make an appearance from the bench.
The boys will be in action on home soil on Saturday, with the ultimate local rivalry being ignited once more as Andy Robinson's Bristol arrive at the Rec. Tickets are still available, so why not join us what is sure to be anything but a friendly. You can book online at bathrugby.com/tickets or call 0844 448 1865 now.
Bath Rugby team to face Newcastle
15. Anthony Watson
14. Semesa Rokoduguni
13. Matt Banahan
12. Ollie Devoto
11. Tom Biggs
10. Tom Heathcote
9. Peter Stringer
1. Nathan Catt
2. Ross Batty
3. Anthony Perenise
4. Stuart Hooper ( c )
5. Matt Garvey
6. Will Skuse
7. Guy Mercer
8. Leroy Houston
Replacements
16. Tom Dunn
17. Paul James
18. Kane Palma-Newport
19. Dominic Day
20. Will Spencer
21. David Sisi
22. Mat Gilbert
23. Nick Koster
24. Martin Roberts
25. Mickey Young
26. Chris Cook
27. Alafoti Fa'osiliva
