Bath name team for Derby Day
- 946
After captain Ben Spencer was called into Steve Borthwick's England training squad, GJ van Velze dons the captain's armband to take on the men of BS3.
Juan Schoeman starts at loosehead, with Tom Dunn returning to the front row after a rest last weekend in Toulouse.
Thomas du Toit retains his tighthead jersey to complete the front row set up.
Elliott Stooke will head to Ashton Gate for the first time since returning to the Premiership, partnered by Quinn Roux in the second row.
Van Velze captains from the blindside, with Miles Reid on the opposite flank and Jaco Coetzee in at Number 8.
Coming from the bench last week, Louis Schreuder will start at scrum-half, with Finn Russell at fly-half before heading out on Scotland Six Nations duty next week.
Will Butt gets a start in the 12 jersey, with Scottish international Cameron Redpath also getting a last run out for Bath before heading to Murrayfield.
Across the back three, Matt Gallagher claims the 11 jersey, with Joe Cokanasiga retaining his 14 shirt.
Tom de Glanville completes the starting line-up at full back.
Named as replacements, Niall Annett, Arthur Cordwell and Archie Griffin will add fresh legs in the front row, with Griffin having linked up with Welsh Rugby squad for the first time this week.
Josh McNally, Chris Cloete and Josh Bayliss will also look to get a turn off the bench. Bayliss was the third and final Scotland call up from the Bath squad for Gregor Townsend this week.
Tom Carr-Smith and Orlando Bailey are named replacement backs in a 6-2 bench split.
Bath Rugby: 1 Juan Schoeman, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Thomas du Toit, 4 Elliott Stooke, 5 Quinn Roux, 6 GJ van Velze (c), 7 Miles Reid, 8 Jaco Coetzee, 9 Louis Schreuder, 10 Finn Russell, 11 Matt Gallagher, 12 Will Butt, 13 Cameron Redpath, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 15 Tom de Glanville
Replacements: 16 Niall Annett, 17 Arthur Cordwell, 18 Archie Griffin, 19 Josh McNally, 20 Josh Bayliss, 21 Tom Carr-Smith, 22 Orlando Bailey, 23 Chris Cloete
INJURY NEWS
Ollie Lawrence sustained a hip injury in Bath Rugby's game against Stade Toulousain. He has seen a specialist and we are working with England Rugby to establish his return date. We are working towards a return during this Six Nations campaign.
Ted Hill continues his rehabilitation following surgery in October. He is on course for a return in mid-March.
UNAVAILABLE FOR SELECTION
Alfie Barbeary continues his suspension after his red card during Bath Rugby v Racing 92.
Unavailable for selection after being called up to the England Rugby Six Nations squad are Ben Spencer, Beno Obano, Charlie Ewels, Max Ojomoh, Sam Underhill, Will Muir and Will Stuart.