Bath v Sale: Teams
Michael Stephenson and Ian Davey are back for Bath's tough test at home to the 2005-06 English champions.
Last Updated: 28/09/07 1:38pm
Michael Stephenson and Ian Davey are back for Bath's tough test at home to the 2005-06 English champions.
Shaun Berne's side let a half-time lead slip en route to a 26-16 defeat to Leicester Tigers last time out.
Stephenson makes his first appearance of the season at full-back in place of injured England prospect Nick Adbendanon.
Twenty-year-old Davey joins Matt Banahan on the wing, against the team he made his debut against last year.
The formidable second row pairing of Danny Grewcock and Peter Short continue in the starting XV, with new signing Martin Purdy occupying a place on the bench.
Overhaul
Sale have rung the changes for Saturday's trip to Bath with three players set to make their first appearances of the season at the Rec.
Stuart Turner, Chris Bell and Richard Wigglesworth make their seasonal debuts, David Tait comes in at Flanker, while Rudi Keil has been ill all week and was not considered.
Also travelling to the west country are Benoit Bourrust and Argentininan trialist Fessia Genaro, who plays 6/7/8.
Head Coach Kingsley Jones said, "We had a good win last week against Bristol and need to back it up this weekend against Bath. We took Magnus Lund off last week as he had a bump, but he will play a part in tomorrow's game.
"Bath started the season well, with a win against Worcester, and were unlucky at Leicester last weekend. We have to match them physically and defend like we did last against Bristol when needed and also make the most of the opportunities we create."
Bath squad: 15 Michael Stephenson, 14 Matt Banahan, 13 Andy Higgins, 12 Tom Cheeseman, 11 Ian Davey, 10 Shaun Berne (captain), 9 Michael Claassens; 1 David Barnes, 2 Pieter Dixon, 3 Aaron Jarvis, 4 Peter Short, 5 Danny Grewcock, 6 Andy Beattie, 7 James Scaysbrook, 8 Daniel Browne
Replacements: 16 Rob Hawkins, 17 Lorne Ward, 18 Martin Purdy, 19 Jonny Faamatuainu, 20 Chris Goodman, 21 Nick Walshe, 22 Jack Cuthbert
Sale: Ben Foden, Chris Mayor, Chris Bell, Lee Thomas, Oriol Ripol, Charlie Hodgson, Richard Wigglesworth, Lionel Faure, Neil Briggs, Stuart Turner, Dean Schofield, Sean Cox, Chris Jones, David Tait, Nathan Bonner Evans.
Replacements: Marc Jones, Ben Evans, Chris Day, Magnus Lund, Silio Martens, Steve Hanley, Rhys Jones.