Preview: Bath v Stade Français
October 16 2009
Bath have made three changes to their starting line-up to face Stade Français at the Recreation Ground.
Injury has sidelined England hooker Lee Mears, who will be sidelined for six to eight weeks, while Andrew Beattie is banned and Ryan Davis dropped to the bench for Sunday.
"We know that if we get our game right then we can compete with Stade Français, and really whoever it might be. We will be looking at our performance and trying to get that spot on," said Forwards Coach Martin Haag.
There are just two changes to the Parisians as they seek to make it two from two, with Antoine Burban replacing Pierre Rabadan on the flank and David Attoub in for Sylvain Marconnet at prop.
Bath: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Joe Maddock, 13 Matt Carraro, 12 Shontayne Hape, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 Nicky Little, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Ben Skirving, 7 Julian Salvi, 6 Jonny Fa'amatuainu, 5 Danny Grewcock, 4 Stuart Hooper, 3 Duncan Bell, 2 Pieter Dixon, 1 David Flatman.
Replacements: 16 Rob Hawkins, 17 David Barnes, 18 David Wilson, 19 Peter Short, 20 Chris Cracknell, 21 Scott Bemand, 22 Ryan Davis, 23 Jack Cuthbert.
Stade Français: 15 Hugo Southwell, 14 Julien Arias, 13 Guillaume Bousses, 12 Geoffroy Messina, 11 Mark Gasnier, 10 Lionel Beauxis, 9 Julien Dupuy, 8 Sergio Parisse, 7 Pierre Rabadan, 6 James Haskell, 5 Pascal Pape, 4 Tom Palmer, 3 David Attoub, 2 Dimitri Szarzewski, 1 Rodrigo Roncero (capt).
Replacements: 16 Benjamin Kayser, 17 Damien Weber, 18 Rayno Gerber, 19 Arnaud Marchois, 20 Mathieu Blin, 21 Noel Oelschig, 22 Mirco Bergamasco, 23 Ollie Phillips.
Date: Sunday, October 18
Kick-off: 15:00 BST
Venue: Recreation Ground
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Simon McDowell (Ireland), Michael Black (Ireland)
Television match official: John Sheehan (Ireland)
Assessor: Jim Fleming (Scotland)
