Bath v Leeds: Teams
Bath welcome bottom club Leeds Carnegie to the Recreation Ground on Saturday with both teams improving.
Last Updated: 07/01/11 5:00pm
Bath welcome bottom club Leeds Carnegie to the Recreation Ground on Saturday looking to build on their recent improved performances.
A narrow victory away to London Irish on New Year's Day gave Ian McGeechan's men a real boost, and he says the hard work going into training is beginning to pay off come game day.
Credit has been given to the Bath forwards in the second half of the game in Reading, and McGeechan wants to see more of the same against Leeds.
Despite being bottom of the table, McGeechan knows that Leeds pose a strong threat, especially after their recent run of results. He also believes that the conditions will be a big influence on the style of rugby that is played.
"We haven't played Leeds in January for a while," he said. "We have played them on dry pitches at the end of the season and the beginning of the season, but this will be different.
Form
"Leeds will have a bit of confidence after beating Gloucester last week, and their two victories in the Amlin Challenge Cup. They played well, and Neil Back has got them very well organised. They do the basics well and when you're playing in conditions which could be like midwinter, you've got to take that on board."
Meanwhile, Leeds have named an unchanged starting line up.
Leeds claimed their first league win of the season in their last outing against Gloucester and coaching duo Neil Back and Andy Key have opted for consistency.
Bath have won their last six games against Leeds, but the Yorkshire outfit hope their improved form can garner a first away win of the season and their first at The Rec since the 2005-06 season.
The only change to the squad is on the replacement bench, with Alfie To'oala returning to the side in place of Danny Paul.
Bath: 15 Jack Cuthbert, 14 Matt Banahan, 13 Olly Barkley, 12 Shontayne Hape, 11 Nick Abendanon, 10 Butch James, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Simon Taylor, 7 Lewis Moody, 6 Luke Watson (C), 5 Danny Grewcock, 4 Stuart Hooper, 3 David Wilson, 2 Lee Mears, 1 David Barnes.
Replacements:16 Pieter Dixon, 17 Duncan Bell, 18 Aaron Jarvis, 19 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, 20 Ben Skirving, 21 Chris Cook, 22 Sam Vesty, 23 Matt Carraro.
Leeds: 15 Ceiron Thomas, 14 Lee Blackett, 13 Henry Fa'afili, 12 Scott Barrow, 11 Michael Stephenson, 10 Lachlan MacKay, 9 Warren Fury, 8 Daniel Browne, 7 Hendre Fourie, 6 Rhys Oakley, 5 Marco Wentzel (c), 4 Tom Denton, 3 Phil Swainston, 2 Steve Thompson, 1 Gareth Hardy.
Replacements:16 Phil Nilsen, 17 Mike MacDonald, 18 Gareth Denman, 19 Kearnan Myall, 20 Alfie To'oala, 21 Scott Mathie, 22 Luther Burrell, 23 Leigh Hinton.