Josh McNally has passed all return to rugby protocols having failed his HIA assessment last Friday at Ashton Gate. The captain will pack down alongside Mike Williams in the engine room.
In front of them will be the same front row who ran out in Round 7 of the Premiership against Bristol Bears with Juan Schoeman on the loose-head, Christian Judge on the other side of the scrum and Tom Dunn at hooker.
Stuart Hooper has remained consistent in his back-row selection with Montpellier-bound Zach Mercer starting at No 8 with the ever-developing Miles Reid and Josh Bayliss on the open and blindside flanks respectively.
At half-back, it is the familiar pairing of Ben Spencer and Rhys Priestland. Josh Matavesi provides both a kicking option as well as a running threat at inside centre as he combines with Max Clark at 13. The Bridgend-born back makes his first start of the 20/21 campaign.
The back three consists of two Fijian flyers in Joe Cokanasiga wearing the No 11 shirt with the experienced Semesa Rokoduguni on his customary right wing. Tom de Glanville continues from last week at full-back.
This weekend’s game provides opportunity to Ewan Richards, Tian Schoeman as well as Will Muir who all are named as replacements; none of whom have yet worn the Club colours. Ethan Staddon, who at just 18, made his winning Club debut of the bench against Worcester Warriors (33-17) back in December also claims a place in the matchday 23.
Furthermore, the Club welcome back prop Kieran Verdan from Sixways as he joins Jack Walker and Scotland-capped Jamie Bhatti as front three cover. Will Chudley offers his scrum half services from the bench.
Bath Rugby side to face HARLEQUINS
15. Tom de Glanville, 14. Semesa Rokoduguni, 13. Max Clark, 12. Josh Matavesi, 11. Joe Cokanasiga, 10. Rhys Priestland, 9. Ben Spencer, 1. Juan Schoeman, 2. Tom Dunn, 3. Christian Judge, 4. Josh McNally (c), 5. Mike Williams, 6. Josh Bayliss, 7. Miles Reid, 8. Zach Mercer
Replacements
16. Jack Walker, 17. Jamie Bhatti, 18. Kieran Verden, 19. Ewan Richards, 20. Ethan Staddon, 21. Will Chudley, 22. Tian Schoeman, 23. Will Muir
HARLEQUINS SIDE TO FACE BATH RUGBY
15. Mike Brown, 14. Louis Lynagh, 13. Joe Marchant, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 11. Aaron Morris, 10. Marcus Smith, 9. Danny Care, 1. Joe Marler, 2. Scott Baldwin, 3. Wilco Louw, 4. Matt Symons, 5. Stephan Lewies (c), 6. Archie White, 7. Will Evans, 8. Alex Dombrandt
REPLACEMENTS
16. Elia Elia, 17. Jordan Els, 18. Simon Kerrod, 19. Glen Young, 20. Richard de Carpentier, 21. Martin Landajo, 22. James Lang, 23. Tyrone Green
