Luke Charteris, Guy Mercer and Rhys Priestland will all start for Bath Rugby tomorrow when they take on Pau in France in the first round of the European Rugby Challenge Cup, kick-off 20:45 (local time).
It will be the first appearance of the season for Club captain Mercer, who takes his place on the openside flank. Tom Ellis shifts to the blindside and Leroy Houston returns to the number eight shirt after winning his debut cap for Australia a week ago.
Charteris partners Elliott Stooke in the second row, as Nick Auterac and Kane Palma-Newport pack down either side of Tom Dunn at hooker.
Priestland is the only change amongst the backs, where he comes in to link-up with scrum-half Kahn Fotuali’i. Semesa Rokoduguni and Aled Brew continue out wide on the wings, and two-time Man of the Match Matt Banahan combines with Jonathan Joseph in the midfield. Tom Homer completes the line-up at fullback.
Todd Blackadder, Director of Rugby, said: "We're really excited about the next couple of European games we have coming up - it's a different competition, and that gives us chance to take a fresh look at things.
“We've not made too many changes, but it's a fantastic opportunity for this guys who haven't had as much game time as some to step up and start for us. It's great to have the likes of Guy Mercer, Luke Charteris and Rhys Priestland back - all three are experienced players who will give us a new energy going into the game."
Bath Rugby team to face Pau
15. Tom Homer
14. Semesa Rokoduguni
13. Jonathan Joseph
12. Matt Banahan
11. Aled Brew
10. Rhys Priestland
9. Kahn Fotuali’i
1. Nick Auterac
2. Tom Dunn
3. Kane Palma-Newport
4. Luke Charteris
5. Elliott Stooke
6. Tom Ellis
7. Guy Mercer ( c )
8. Leroy Houston
Replacements
16. Michael van Vuuren
17. Max Lahiff
18. Shaun Knight
19. Charlie Ewels
20. Matt Garvey ( c )
21. Chris Cook
22. Dan Bowden
23. Jeff Williams
Not available for selection: Ross Batty, Max Clark, David Denton, Taulupe Faletau, Francois Louw, Niko Matawalu, David Sisi, Jack Walker, Anthony Watson
