Bath v Cardiff - Teams
Both teams can still qualify for the EDF Energy Cup semi-finals with a win.
By Phil Jackson
Last Updated: 29/11/07 1:43pm
Bath are in hot form with eight wins from their last nine games and they still have the chance to qualify for the last four of the EDF Energy Cup.
The home side's result will be dependent on group leaders Leicester Tigers and Sale Sharks' result though.
England internationals Nick Abendanon and Olly Barkley provide quality in the backs, but forwards coach Mark Bakewell is calling on the pack to make another solid impact.
He said: "I thought Michael Lipman was outstanding in the win over Bristol last weekend and he seems to be in the best form I have seen him in since I have been at the club. I think he will continue to impress.
"His work-rate and ability to go forward was outstanding and I will be looking for the same level of performance from him.
"By the same token, Pieter Dixon and Lee Mears will also be involved and I think both of those players have always proved to me that they have great foundations in their set-piece play, but they are also a great asset around the field."
South African World Cup winner Butch James has been allowed to stay with the club meanwhile, despite it being coach Jake White's final game in charge of his country against the Barbarians on Saturday.
The Cardiff Blues must win at The Rec on Friday night if they are to stand any chance of reaching the semis.
Leicester Tigers must lose against Sale Sharks though if the Blues are to qualify, and despite the uncertainty surrounding their qualification coach Dai Young has picked a strong team.
Tom Shanklin and Martyn Williams are unavailable because they will play for the Barbarians against South Africa on Saturday, but Xavier Rush will lead the team against the resurgent English giants.
Young will want to draw on the bonus point win against Sale Sharks in the opening week of the competition, but the Scarlets face a Bath side that has gone undefeated at the Rec since a 12-19 reversal to Bristol in the Premiership on 18 November 2006.
Bath: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Joe Maddock, 13 Tom Cheeseman, 12 Olly Barkley, 11 Michael Stephenson, 10 Butch James, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Daniel Browne, 7 Michael Lipman, 6 Jonny Fa'amatuainu, 5 Peter Short, 4 Steve Borthwick, 3 Lorne Ward, 2 Pieter Dixon, 1 Matt Stevens/Laurence Ovens.
Replacements: 16 Lee Mears, 17 Paulica Ion, 18 James Scaysbrook, 19 Martin Purdy, 20 Chris Goodman, 21 Nick Walshe, 22 Shaun Berne.
Cardiff Blues: 15 Jamie Roberts, 14 Tal Selley, 13 Gareth Thomas, 12 Dafydd Hewitt, 11 Tom James, 10 Dai Flanagan, 9 Jason Spice, 8 Xavier Rush (c), 7 Robin Sowden Taylor, 6 Ma'ama Molitika, 5 Paul Tito, 4 Deiniol Jones, 3 Gary Powell, 2 T Rhys Thomas, 1 John Yapp.
Replacements: 16 Gethin Jenkins/Taufa'ao Filise, 17 Gareth Williams, 18 Scott Morgan, 19 Andy Powell, 20 Ben White, 21 Darren Allinson, 22 Ryan Howells.