Bath recall Jonathan Joseph for Clermont fixture

David Skippers
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The third round of the Champions Cup gets underway with Bath facing Clermont at the Recreation Ground on Friday.

Jonathan Joseph and Mike Williams, who missed last week’s game against Saracens, return at centre and blindside flanker respectively.

Beno Obano, Tom Dunn and Will Stuart continue in an unchanged front-row, with Josh McNally and Elliott Stooke staying as the locks.

Williams joins Josh Bayliss and captain Francois Louw in the back-row for the clash with the three-time finalists in this competition.

Chris Cook starts at scrum-half, with Rhys Priestland completing the half-back partnership. Jamie Roberts lines up alongside Joseph in an experienced midfield pairing for what promises to be a tough contest.

Ruaridh McConnochie and Semesa Rokoduguni take their places on the wings, as full-back Tom Homer completes the backline.

Meanwhile, former Bath full-back Nick Abendanon gets a start for Clermont and is joined in the backline by France wing Alivereti Raka.

George Moala and Isaia Toeva form a strong midfield combination while Morgan Parra captains the side alongside fly-half Camille Lopez.

Up front Rabah Slimani comes in at tighthead from last week’s side but Peceli Yato misses out as Alexandre Fischer is named on the flank.

The teams:

Bath: 15 Tom Homer, 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Ruaridh McConnochie, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Chris Cook, 8 Francois Louw (c), 7 Josh Bayliss, 6 Mike Williams, 5 Elliott Stooke, 4 Josh McNally, 3 Will Stuart, 2 Tom Dunn, 1 Beno Obano
Replacements: 16 Jack Walker, 17 Lewis Boyce, 18 Christian Judge, 19 Matt Garvey, 20 Rhys Davies, 21 Will Chudley, 22 Freddie Burns, 23 Aled Brew

Clermont Auvergne: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Samuel Ezeala, 13 Isaia Toeava, 12 George Moala, 11 Alivereti Raka, 10 Camille Lopez, 9 Morgan Parra (c), 8 Fritz Lee, 7 Alexandre Lapandry, 6 Alexandre Fischer, 5 Sitaleki Timani, 4 Arthur Iturria, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Yohan Beheregaray, 1 Loni Uhila
Replacements: 16 John Ulugia, 17 Giorgi Beria, 18 Davit Zirakashvili, 19 Julien Ruaud, 20 Faifili Levave, 21 Greig Laidlaw, 22 Peter Betham, 23 Apisai Naqalevu

Venue: Recreation Ground
Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Sean Gallagher (Ireland), Paul Haycock (Ireland)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)

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