Exeter Chiefs v Bath: Aviva Premiership preview
Last Updated: 28/02/15 2:16pm
Bath have made four changes to their pack for Saturday’s West Country derby with Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park.
Mike Ford’s side have suffered back-to-back Aviva Premiership defeats and a third could see them drop out of the top four.
Ford has named an all-new front row of Nick Auterac, Ross Batty and Kane Palma-Newport, with Carl Fearns shifting to blindside flanker as Leroy Houston returns at No 8.
Hooker Rob Webber will make his 50th appearance for the club if he is introduced from the bench.
Exeter have recorded successive victories over Newcastle and Harlequins but head coach Rob Baxter has been forced into changes.
Jack Nowell’s England call-up sees Tom James named on the wing, with Ian Whitten moving into midfield to partner Sam Hill.
Carl Rimmer and Jack Yeandale come into the front row, with the fit-again Don Armond selected at openside.
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Phil Dollman, 14 Matt Jess, 13 Ian Whitten, 12 Sam Hill, 11 Tom James, 10 Henry Slade, 9 Will Chudley; 1 Carl Rimmer, 2 Jack Yeandle, 3 Tomas Francis, 4 Dean Mumm (c), 5 Damian Welch, 6 Dave Ewers, 7 Don Armand, 8 Thomas Waldrom.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Brett Sturgess, 18 Alex Brown, 19 Mitch Lees, 20 Ben White, 21 Dave Lewis, 22 Gareth Steenson, 23 Byron McGuigan.
Bath: 15 Tom Homer, 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Sam Burgess, 12 Kyle Eastmond, 11 Olly Woodburn, 10 Ollie Devoto, 9 Micky Young; 1 Nick Auterac, 2 Ross Batty, 3 Kane Palma-Newport, 4 Stuart Hooper (c), 5 Dominic Day, 6 Carl Fearns, 7 Francois Louw, 8 Leroy Houston.
Replacements: 16 Rob Webber, 17 Beno Obano, 18 Max Lahiff, 19 Alafoti Faosiliva, 20 Matt Garvey, 21 Chris Cook, 22 Rory Jennings, 23 Luke Arscott.