Bath Rugby name side for trip to Leeds Carnegie

Matt Carraro gets the nod ahead of new signing Tom Biggs to start on the wing for Bath Rugby's Aviva Premiership opener against Leeds Carnegie on Sunday (KO 3pm)

Olly Barkley and Shontayne Hape will link up in the centres for Bath, with summer arrival Sam Vesty partnering Michael Claassens at half-back.

Lewis Moody will make his first competitive appearance for Bath against Leeds

In the pack, an experienced tight five will be supported by a formidable backrow of Simon Taylor, Lewis Moody and skipper Luke Watson.

Leeds feature five new signings in their starting XV, with Bath old boys Daniel Browne (No. 8) and Michael Stephenson (full-back) taking to the field for their new club.

* Visit www.thisisbath.co.uk at 2.45pm on Sunday for real-time, interactive updates from Bath's Premiership opener

Leeds Carnegie: Michael Stephenson, Lee Blackett, Luther Burrell, Lachlan MacKay, Semi Tadulala, Ceiron Thomas, Scott Mathie; Miguel Alonso, Andy Titterrell, Juan Gomez, Tom Denton, Marco Wentzel (c), Kearnan Myall, Hendre Fourie, Daniel Browne

Replacements: Steve Thompson, Gareth Hardy, Phil Swainston, Alfie To'oala, Rhys Oakley, Warren Fury, Scott Barrow, Leigh Hinton

Bath Rugby: Nick Abendanon, Matt Carraro, Shontayne Hape, Olly Barkley, Matt Banahan, Sam Vesty, Michael Claassens; David Flatman, Lee Mears, David Wilson, Stuart Hooper, Danny Grewcock, Simon Taylor, Lewis Moody, Luke Watson (c)

Replacements: Pieter Dixon, Nathan Catt, Duncan Bell, Ben Skirving, Andy Beattie, Mark McMillan, Tom Biggs, Jack Cuthbert