Bath captain Stuart Hooper returns to the team's line-up for Saturday's LV= Cup game against Northampton Saints at the Recreation Ground.
Hooper comes back to partner Ryan Caldwell in the second row, with Ben Skirving, Francois Louw and Simon Taylor combining in the back row. Ross Batty starts at hooker, with David Flatman and Anthony Perenise packing down either side of him in the front row.
Michael Claassens partners Stephen Donald in the half-backs once more, with Tom Biggs and Olly Woodburn taking their places on the wings. Olly Barkley and Sam Vesty form a new centre pairing, and Nick Abendanon completes the line-up at full-back.
Both sides sit at the top of their pools going into the game, with maximum points being taken in their respective first two fixtures, and will be determined to get one step closer to securing a semi-final place.
"We're looking forward to what we know will be a tough challenge for us, against a strong Northampton Saints squad," said Bath director of rugby, Sir Ian McGeechan.
The teams:
Bath: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Olly Woodburn, 13 Sam Vesty, 12 Olly Barkley, 11 Tom Biggs, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Simon Taylor, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Ben Skirving, 5 Ryan Caldwell, 4 Stuart Hooper (c), 3 Anthony Perenise, 2 Ross Batty, 1 David Flatman
Replacements: 16. Lee Mears, 17 Charlie Beech, 18 Duncan Bell, 19 Will Spencer, 20 Guy Mercer, 21 Chris Cook, 22 Tom Heathcote, 23 Nick Scott.
Northampton: 15 Paul Diggin, 14 Jamie Elliott, 13 Scott Armstrong, 12 Greig Tonks, 11 Vasily Artemyev, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Martin Roberts, 8 Samu Manoa, 7 Ben Nutley, 6 James Craig, 5 Christian Day, 4 Mark Sorensen, 3 Tom Mercey, 2 Brett Sharman, 1 Alex Waller.
Replacements: 16 Andy Long, 17 Soane Tonga'uiha, 18 Brian Mujati, 19 James Ingle, 20 Roger Wilson, 21 Ryan Glynn, 22 Tom May, 23 Noah Cato.
Date: Saturday, January 28
Kick-off: 14:30
Venue: Recreation Ground
Referee: Sean Davey (England)
Comments
sirtidychris says...
Most teams they put out a weaken side for the LV but with baths season disapearing before their eyes they are going all out to win the LV cup and thats why i'm so frustrated with the lack of consistency in selection. Sir Ian needs to pick a team and let it gel...obviously injuries will occur but at this point in the season you should at least know who the first choice players/units are. We smashed a 2/3rd string saints team today so doesn't show much, i just hope ian learnt something useful.
As far as captain perhaps i'm being too harsh on Hooper, i just think your captain has to be the first name on the team sheet and with everyone fit he's probably the first name on the bench...as for future captain i have high hopes for carl fearns if he can shake off his injuries.
Posted 18:36 28th January 2012
damo says...
@go Wales go, this is the strongest available 15 for Bath so your wrong
Posted 09:18 28th January 2012
Jediboy says...
Im a little surprised by the Saints line up too. I'd have played Tonks at 15, I've never really seen Diggin as a 15. But Mallinder knows thenm better than me.
It's good to see some of the youngsters getting game time. The likes of Nutley, Waller etc are the future, especially with the 6N coming up.
To the Bath fans here - I know your frustrations. As a club with a proud history you expect better. As a Saints fan I know about disappointment and relegation, but they'll pick it up again.
Posted 08:42 28th January 2012
GoWalesGo says...
@sirtidychris
and
@APV1
This is the LV cup no team plays their strongest team in these matches.
Posted 18:12 27th January 2012
Frank81 says...
Hooper's not a bad captain, but he's our 3rd best second row when everyone is available, so long term it needs to be someone else. Louw would be my first choice as captain, or Simin Taylor perhaps.
The problem this season for Geech is that we just don't have a front row. It's been our biggest problem, we can't hold onto our own ball or hold our own in the set piece. We need some big investment in the forwards in the summer!
Posted 17:35 27th January 2012
Bones7 says...
any news on Kyle Eastmond?
Posted 15:29 27th January 2012
NHsaints says...
Well I'm a little surprised at the saints lineup...I'd have been expecting Vas or Tonks at 15 but fair play...we've got a decent lineup and we should get this one fairly comfortably...
Posted 15:24 27th January 2012
APV1 says...
@ sirtidychris - I completely agree. As a Bath fan it's becoming increasingly difficult to know what to expect. I appreciate that Geech needs this season to establish himself, but we aren't making any discernable progress and we're running out of season to make any!
Hoops is a well-respected player and excellent at club level. He's never, in my opinion, been international standard, but there's no shame in that! He's captained Leeds and the Saxons, so I suspect he has the qualities needed, although I'm in position to argue the point one way or the other.
I suppose the question is, if not Hooper, then who? Louw? Claassens?
Posted 14:45 27th January 2012
sirtidychris says...
Bath still haven't got a clue who their best team is ! changes across the board for every match, vesty is not a 13, hooper isn't good enough to be captain, they still don't know who forms the best back row, the front row changes every game...its like an invitational side.....
Posted 13:00 27th January 2012