Bath field experienced side for Sale clash

Bath Rugby will field a strong, experienced starting XV for tomorrow's Anglo-Welsh Cup match at The Rec (2.15pm) against a fresh-faced Sale Sharks squad.

As expected, Butch James will make his comeback from knee surgery for the hosts. The only Academy player in Bath's starting XV is openside flanker Guy Mercer.

Sale, by contrast, will bring a highly inexperienced side down to The Rec. Outside centre Jordan Davies is set to make his debut, while fly-half Mark Atkinson will make his first senior start, ensuring James will not make his comeback against Sale hot-shot Charlie Hodgson.

The Sharks' bench looks even more youthful than the starting XV, with Oxford University pair Ian Kench and Alex Cheeseman in line to make their Sale debuts.

From the strength of Bath's team, it is clear head coach Steve Meehan views the Sale clash as an opportunity for his side to build momentum ahead of the return to Guinness Premiership action the following weekend.

Bath are in need of a handsome win, despite already being out of the Anglo-Welsh LV= Cup. They have lost their last three matches, with their last win coming against Leeds Carnegie on January 2.

Their attacking options are boosted by the return of Nick Abendanon (shoulder) at fullback, but they will be without young lock Scott Hobson (ankle) who so impressed against Leicester last week.

Bath field an experienced tight five of David Barnes, Pieter Dixon, Duncan Bell, Peter Short and Stuart Hooper, who will captain the side.

Lee Mears, who was dropped by Martin Johnson from the England team earlier this week, has a spot on the bench.

Young Bath forwards Nathan Catt and Josh Ovens are also named as replacements.

Bath assistant coach Brad Davis is hoping James' return will get the side firing on all cylinders.

"It's a boost for the team to have Butch back," he said. "It's been a long time coming. It will be great for him to get back out on the field and do what he does best - play rugby."

Sale Sharks director of rugby, Kingsley Jones, said: “We go to Bath trying to return to winning ways. It’s very important to the club that we start winning after some hard games recently.

"Bath’s a great play to go and play, and a tough place to win. There are opportunities for some younger guys, and for players looking for contract renewals and the chance to play in the rest of the Guinness Premiership programme.

"Ultimately, we feel that freshening the team with some new faces, playing with experienced forwards, gives us the best chance to go to The Rec and get a win.

"Obviously, we have to look at other teams’ results, but we still have a chance of making the semi final."

Bath Rugby XV: Nick Abendanon, Jack Cuthbert, Matt Carraro, Ryan Davis, Michael Stephenson, Butch James, Scott Bemand; David Barnes, Pieter Dixon, Duncan Bell, Stuart Hooper (c), Peter Short, Daniel Browne, Guy Mercer, Ben Skirving

Replacements: Lee Mears, Nathan Catt, Aaron Jarvis, Jonny Faamatuainu, Josh Ovens, Mike Baxter, Tom Cheeseman, Joe Maddock

Sale Sharks XV: Marika Vakacegu, Oriol Ripol, Jordan Davies, David Bishop, Ben Cohen, Mark Atkinson, Chris Leck; Gavin Kerr, Mahonri Schwalger, Martin Halsall, Dean Schofield (c), Sean Cox, Carl Fearns, David Seymour, Kristian Ormsby

Replacements: Marc Jones, Rob O’Donnell, Dan Birchall, Chris Jones, Ian Kench, Will Cliff, Alex Cheeseman, David Doherty

On standby: Ben Roberts, Ed Styles