Taulupe Faletau, Jonathan Joseph and Anthony Watson will all start for Bath Rugby in the Club’s Aviva Premiership opener against Leicester Tigers at Welford Road on Sunday, kick-off 15:00.
The trio, who were all part of the British & Irish Lions squad over the summer return to the Blue, Black and White line-up for the trip to the East Midlands.
Watson starts at fullback in an exciting back three, which includes Semesa Rokoduguni and Matt Banahan, who occupy the wing positions.
Meanwhile, Joseph returns to the squad to start at outside centre and will link-up with Max Clark in the midfield. Rhys Priestland and Chris Cook form the half-back pairing at fly-half and scrum-half respectively.
Tom Dunn makes his first start in the Aviva Premiership since February and will be joined in the front row by Beno Obano and Kane Palma-Newport.
Luke Charteris and Elliott Stooke make up a physical second row, whilst Matt Garvey captains the side from blindside flanker. Joining Garvey in the back row are Taulupe Faletau and Francois Louw, who makes his return from injury.
James Phillips, Anthony Perenise and Freddie Burns could make their competitive debuts for Bath Rugby off the replacements bench.
Unavailable for selection: Dave Attwood, Ross Batty, Aled Brew, Nathan Catt, Tom Ellis, Charlie Ewels, Max Lahiff, Shaun Knight, Henry Thomas, Sam Underhill, Jeff Williams.
Bath Rugby team to face Leicester Tigers
15. Anthony Watson
14. Semesa Rokoduguni
13. Jonathan Joseph
12. Max Clark
11. Matt Banahan
10. Rhys Priestland
9. Chris Cook
1. Beno Obano
2. Tom Dunn
3. Kane Palma-Newport
4. Luke Charteris
5. Elliott Stooke
6. Matt Garvey (capt)
7. Francois Louw
8. Taulupe Faletau
Replacements:
16. Jack Walker
17. Nick Auterac
18. Anthony Perenise
19. James Phillips
20. Paul Grant
21. Kahn Fotuali’i
22. Freddie Burns
23. Ben Tapuai
