Bath v Harlequins: Teams
Bath coach Steve Meehan is hoping to record a fifth successive win against Harlequins on Saturday.
Last Updated: 26/03/10 1:05pm
Bath head coach Steve Meehan believes the club's continued self-belief will be key to recording a fifth straight win against Harlequins on Saturday.
Meehan's resurgent men have powered back into form with victories over Newcastle, Sarcacens, Worcester and London Irish in recent weeks.
And the Australian claims he never doubted his side's ability to put together such a run.
"I have always believed the team would get in to the top half of the Guinness Premiership and I still feel the team is good enough to get in to the top four," he said.
"We never lacked self belief even though some of our performances didn't reach our potential. We always managed to play good rugby in every game and it was just a question of getting that all organised.
"If you go back to the game against London Irish at the Madejski Stadium when we scored three really good tries in the first half, I think you can pinpoint the increase in the team's self-belief from then because a fortnight later we beat Saracens at their own game. That was another reflection of the attitude and belief we have built."
Stars
Nick Abendanon makes his 100th appearance for Bath on Saturday and David Barnes will make his 200th Guinness Premiership appearance coming off the bench.
David Wilson sustained an injury whilst with England so will not feature and Ryan Davis has fractured his thumb which also prevents him taking to the field.
Harlequins, conversely, will be looking for a much needed win against the in-form Bath at the Rec.
With the Six Nations concluded, the team will be bolstered by the return of England stars, Danny Care and Ugo Monye, although sadly Nick Easter still hasn't recovered from an ankle injury sustained against France.
There are four changes to the starting XV that defeated Worcester Warriors three weeks ago at the Stoop. After receiving the man of the match award against the warriors, Karl Dickson gives back the number nine shirt to Care and starts the game on the bench. Care's England team mate, Monye, returns to the wing, joining fly-half Nick Evans who comes back after being rested. Tom Williams and Rory Clegg start on the bench.
In the forwards, the only change is that of Tani Fuga who comes back in to partner Ceri Jones and John Andress in the front row. Chris Brooker starts on the bench.
Currently sitting in eighth place and on equal points with seventh-placed Gloucester, this round 17 match against Bath is a must win game for Quins as they prepare for the last of their three away games in this season's Guinness Premiership. They will be determined to close the gap on Saturday's opponents who sit in sixth place (just six points ahead of Quins), holding loosely onto a valuable Heineken Cup spot.
Last season the London side did the double over Bath, and although Quins had the victory at the Stoop back in October, the West country side's recent run of good form will provide a real battle on Saturday.
Bath: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Joe Maddock, 13 Shontayne Hape, 12 Olly Barkley, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 Butch James, 9 Michael Claassens (c), 8 Luke Watson, 7 Julian Salvi, 6 Andy Beattie, 5 Peter Short, 4 Stuart Hooper, 3 Duncan Bell, 2 Lee Mears, 1 David Flatman.
Replacements: 16 Pieter Dixon, 17 David Barnes, 18 Aaron Jarvis, 19 Danny Grewcock, 20 Jonny Faamatuainu, 21 Scott Bemand, 22 Nicky Little, 23 Jack Cuthbert.
Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 David Strettle, 13 George Lowe, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Danny Care, 8 Tom Guest, 7 Will Skinner (c), 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 George Robson, 4 James Percival, 3 John Andress, 2 Tani Fuga, 1 Ceri Jones.
Replacements: 16 Chris Brooker, 17 Aston Croall, 18 James Johnston, 19 Lewis Stevenson, 20 Chris York, 21 Karl Dickson, 22 Rory Clegg, 23 Tom Williams.