Bath v Exeter teams: Finn Russell OUT while England hopeful returns for Chiefs in PREM semi-final showdown
Santi Carreras continues at fly-half for Bath against Exeter Chiefs.
Bath will be without Scotland fly-half Finn Russell for their PREM Rugby semi-final showdown with Exeter Chiefs at the Recreation Ground on Saturday.
Russell is one of five internationals currently sidelined for Johann van Graan’s team as Will Stuart, Guy Pepper, Louie Hennessey and Will Muir are ruled out injured.
The club has secured a third home play-off in as many seasons after finishing second in the league, and that hands them a home semi against a dangerous Exeter outfit.
The occasion also marks a 100th game for Max Ojomoh, becoming Bath‘s third centurion this season. He once again lines up alongside Ollie Lawrence in the midfield.
Up front, Beno Obano is joined by a returning Tom Dunn in the front-row, which will also see a final game at the Recreation Ground for Bok tighthead Thomas du Toit.
Quinn Roux also returns to rekindle his second-row partnership with Charlie Ewels while Josh Bayliss and Sam Underhill are the flanks and Alfie Barbeary is at eight.
England international Ben Spencer will lead the side out for one last time at the Rec this campaign, partnered by Santi Carreras, as Russell remains on the sidelines.
Out on the wings, Henry Arundell provides his speed and Joe Cokanasiga offers his power while Tom de Glanville completes Bath’s starting line-up as the number 15.
Front-row impact from the bench is provided by Kepu Tuipulotu, Francois van Wyk and Vilikesa Sela. Ross Molony, Ted Hill and Miles Reid complete the pack options.
South African Bernard van der Linde returns to the shirt as replacement scrum-half and Scotland’s Cameron Redpath finalises the matchday 23 for Van Graan’s troops.
Greg Fisilau back for Chiefs
Meanwhile, Exeter Chiefs are boosted by the return of Greg Fisilau to their back-row, while the PREM‘s top points scorer this season, Henry Slade, starts in the centres.
A week on from making his final run-out at Sandy Park, Wallaby Scott Sio runs out alongside Josh Iosefa-Scott on either side of hooker Max Norey in Exeter’s front-row.
Dafydd Jenkins leads the Chiefs from his successful second-row partnership with Andrea Zambonin, with the Italian fresh from selection to the Prem Team of the Season.
Fisilau slots into the number eight position vacated by the absent Ethan Roots, and he is joined in the back-row by flankers Tom Hooper and Christ Tshiunza this weekend.
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Having been newly crowned the Exeter Chiefs Supporters’ Club’s Player of the Season, Stephen Varney starts at scrum-half and is once again joined by Harvey Skinner at 10.
Len Ikitau will make his first appearance at the Rec this season having missed out on the January away clash through injury. The Australian partners Slade in the centres.
Last week’s back three is left intact as Campbell Ridl and Paul Brown-Bampoe take to the wings with Olly Woodburn at full-back. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso remains absent.
Chiefs await the return of back-rower Ross Vintcent as the Italy international is included on the bench. The remaining forward replacements include Joseph Dweba, Ethan Burger, Bachuki Tchumbadze and Rusi Tuima while the traditional 5-3 split also includes Tom Cairns, Zack Wimbush and Ben Hammersley covering the backline.
PREM Rugby semi-finals: Predictions, teams, kick-off times, how to watch and referee appointments
The teams
Bath: 15 Tom de Glanville, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Max Ojomoh, 11 Henry Arundell, 10 Santi Carreras, 9 Ben Spencer (c), 8 Alfie Barbeary, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Josh Bayliss, 5 Charlie Ewels, 4 Quinn Roux, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Tom Dunn, 1 Beno Obano
Replacements: 16 Kepueli Tuipulotu, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Vilikesa Sela, 19 Ross Molony, 20 Ted Hill, 21 Bernard van der Linde, 22 Cameron Redpath, 23 Miles Reid
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Olly Woodburn, 14 Paul Brown-Bampoe, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Campbell Ridl, 10 Harvey Skinner, 9 Stephen Varney, 8 Greg Fisilau, 7 Christ Tshiunza, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Andrea Zambonin, 4 Dafydd Jenkins (c), 3 Josh Iosefa-Scott, 2 Max Norey, 1 Scott Sio
Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Ethan Burger, 18 Bachuki Tchumbadze, 19 Rusi Tuima, 20 Ross Vintcent, 21 Tom Cairns, 22 Zack Wimbush, 23 Ben Hammersley
Venue: The Rec
Kick-off: 15:00 BST
Referee: Christophe Ridley
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson, Sara Cox
TMO: Andrew Jackson
How to watch: TNT Sports, HBO Max