Australian centre Ben Tapuai will make his starting debut for Bath Rugby on Sunday when they take on Harlequins in the Aviva Premiership at the Stoop, kick-off 15:15.
Tapuai joins Max Clark in the midfield, who had an impressive return from injury in the win against Bristol last weekend. Out wide Aled Brew comes back into the starting line-up on the left wing with Semesa Rokoduguni, England’s Man of the Match against Fiji, on the right. Tom Homer provides the threat from fullback, as Dan Bowden starts at fly-half for the first time this season and Darren Allinson continues at scrum-half.
Up front, Tom Dunn starts between Nathan Catt and Kane Palma-Newport in the front row, with the powerful pairing of Matt Garvey and Dave Attwood behind them in the engine room. Tom Ellis on the openside, Guy Mercer on the blindside and Zach Mercer coming in at number eight form the back row.
Unavailable for selection: Nick Auterac, Luke Charteris, Chris Cook, David Denton, Charlie Ewels, Taulupe Faletau, Robbie Fruean, George Ford, Kahn Fotuali’i, Jonathan Joseph, Francois Louw, Rhys Priestland, David Sisi, Elliott Stooke, Henry Thomas, Anthony Watson.
Bath Rugby team to face Harlequins
15. Tom Homer
14. Semesa Rokoduguni
13. Max Clark
12. Ben Tapuai
11. Aled Brew
10. Dan Bowden
9. Darren Allinson
1. Nathan Catt
2. Tom Dunn
3. Kane Palma-Newport
4. Matt Garvey ( c )
5. Dave Attwood
6. Tom Ellis
7. Guy Mercer
8. Zach Mercer
Replacements
16. Ross Batty
17. Beno Obano
18. Max Lahiff
19. Paul Grant
20. Levi Douglas
21. Will Homer
22. Adam Hastings
23. Matt Banahan
