Bath and Wasps battle for sixth spot at Rec

Will Chudley returns to Bath’s starting line-up as they face Wasps, who have been boosted by the return from injury of England lock Joe Launchbury, in the final game at the Rec for the season.

Chudley starts alongside Freddie Burns in the half-back pairing in an otherwise unchanged back-line. Jamie Roberts starts alongside Jonathan Joseph in the midfield, with Ruaridh McConnochie and Joe Cokanasiga occupying the wing positions.

Anthony Watson, who made his comeback last week against Sale Sharks makes his 99th appearance in Bath colours at full-back.

Beno Obano, Tom Dunn and Max Lahiff continue in the front-row, with captain Charlie Ewels and Dave Attwood the lock pairing.

Tom Ellis, Sam Underhill and Zach Mercer complete the pack.

Meanwhile, locks Launchbury and James Gaskell have both recovered from injuries to start for Wasps.

Skipper Launchbury will be set for his 99th Premiership appearance after overcoming an Achilles/calf problem while Gaskell is back in the starting line-up following a calf injury.

Elsewhere in the pack, Simon McIntyre is handed a first Premiership start since April 2018 as he replaces Zurabi Zhvania (knee), while hooker Tom Cruse also starts.

In the backs, Juan de Jongh comes into the starting 15 with Elliot Daly missing out with a knee knock. Rob Miller is named as starting fly-half for his 149th Premiership appearance in place of Lima Sopoaga, who has been at his fiancée’s side this week for the birth of their second child.

On the replacements bench Tommy Taylor returns after a back problem while loosehead prop Ben Harris and back Ross Neal are also named in the squad.

A win for either side is crucial if they are to stand a chance of securing a place in the play-offs – while points are precious in the battle for the top six – with just six points separating six teams from fourth to ninth in the table.

The teams:

Bath: 15 Anthony Watson, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Ruaridh McConnochie, 10 Freddie Burns, 9 Will Chudley, 8 Zach Mercer, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Tom Ellis, 5 Charlie Ewels (c), 4 Dave Attwood, 3 Max Lahiff, 2 Tom Dunn, 1 Beno Obano
Replacements: 16 Ross Batty, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Sam Nixon, 19 Levi Douglas, 20 Elliott Stooke, 21 Kahn Fotuali’i, 22 Alex Davies, 23 Max Wright

Wasps: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Marcus Watson, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Gaby Lovobalavu, 11 Josh Bassett, 10 Rob Miller, 9 Joe Simpson, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 Nizaam Carr, 6 Brad Shields, 5 James Gaskell, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 Kieran Brookes, 2 Tom Cruse, 1 Simon McIntyre
Replacements: 16 Tommy Taylor, 17 Ben Harris, 18 Jake Cooper-Woolley, 19 Will Rowlands, 20 Ashley Johnson, 21 Craig Hampson, 22 Lima Sopoaga, 23 Ross Neal

Venue: The Rec
Kick-off: 15:00 BST (14:00 GMT)
Referee: Luke Pearce
Assistant referees: Hamish Smales, Wayne Falla
TMO: Rowan Kitt