Preview: Bath v Exeter Chiefs
Taulupe Faletau and Jonathan Joseph return to Bath's starting line-up, as they face Exeter Chiefs in the Premiership at the Rec on Friday.
Faletau and Joseph start at number eight and outside centre respectively, as Bath welcome the reigning Premiership champions to the West Country.
Nathan Charles starts at hooker, with Beno Obano and Henry Thomas either side of the Australian in the front-row. Charlie Ewels continues in the second-row alongside Elliott Stooke, who returns to the starting XV.
Matt Garvey comes back into the fold at blindside flanker, with Tom Ellis and Faletau joining the Bath captain in the back-row.
Kahn Fotuali’i partners Freddie Burns in the half-back combination, whilst Joseph features alongside James Wilson in the midfield.
Aled Brew, Matt Banahan and Tom Homer occupy the back three positions, as Bath look to close the gap on the top four.
Tom Dunn and Rhys Priestland could make their return to action, after being named among the replacements.
Meanwhile, changes from Exeter’s last outing in the Premiership against Saracens at Sandy Park see club captain Jack Yeandle come in at hooker in place of Luke Cowan-Dickie, who picked up an ankle injury in training this week, while Sam Simmonds starts at number eight.
Behind the scrum, Joe Simmonds gets another chance to shine at fly-half ahead of Gareth Steenson, while Ian Whitten gets the nod on the wing over former Bath player Olly Woodburn.
Aussie international Dave Dennis, fresh from an impressive return to action against Newcastle Falcons in the Anglo-Welsh Cup semi-final, is included in a Premiership squad for the first time in September, while there are also inclusions for young hooker Jack Innard and Argentinian international Santiago Cordero.
Form: Bath's last four matches have all been won by the home side on the day, whilst Bath have won their last four matches at the Recreation Ground in all competitions. Exeter Chiefs have won their last two Premiership Rugby matches, both at home, to Northampton Saints and Saracens. The Chiefs have lost their last four away games in all competitions since beating Northampton 35-14 at Franklins Gardens in Round 11 of Premiership Rugby. The two sides should have met in the final of the Anglo-Welsh Cup last weekend which unfortunately succumbed to the weather. Exeter’s only defeat in their last four meetings with Bath was a 13-10 loss at Sandy Park in October 2016.
The teams:
Bath: 15 Tom Homer, 14 Matt Banahan, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 James Wilson, 11 Aled Brew, 10 Freddie Burns, 9 Kahn Fotuali’i, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Tom Ellis, 6 Matt Garvey (c), 5 Elliott Stooke, 4 Charlie Ewels, 3 Henry Thomas, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Beno Obano
Replacements: 16 Tom Dunn, 17 Nick Auterac, 18 Anthony Perenise, 19 James Phillips, 20 Paul Grant, 21 Chris Cook, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Cooper Vuna
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Phil Dollman, 14 Ian Whitten, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Sam Hill, 11 Lachie Turner, 10 Joe Simmonds, 9 Nic White, 8 Sam Simmonds, 7 Don Armand, 6 Dave Ewers, 5 Jonny Hill, 4 Sam Skinner, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Jack Yeandle (c), 1 Alec Hepburn
Replacements: 16 Jack Innard, 17 Ben Moon, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Mitch Lees, 20 Dave Dennis, 21 Stu Townsend, 22 Gareth Steenson, 23 Santiago Cordero
Date: Friday, March 23
Venue: Recreation Ground
Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
Referee: Wayne Barnes
Assistant Referees: Tom Foley, Paul Dix
TMO: Rowan Kitt