Thursday 2 October 2014 14:34, UK
Bath head coach Mike Ford believes his side can "unlock" unbeaten Aviva Premiership leaders Saracens on Friday night.
Sarries arrive at the Recreation Ground on the back of four successive league wins, collecting 18 points out of a possible 20.
Bath have already shown that they mean business this season following a 45-0 thumping of Leicester, an away win at Sale and a dominant final 25 minutes at Northampton last weekend, when they fought back from 21 points down to go within a converted try of drawing the game.
"It is a huge test," Ford said. "They (Saracens) were the only team we didn't take any points off last season. We know what is coming, everyone knows what is coming.
"We think, though, we've got a game that can unlock them. The proof will be in the pudding. It will be an exciting game."
Ford has made one change to the side beaten by Northampton, with Wales international Gavin Henson handed a start at full-back instead of Luke Arscott. England prop David Wilson makes his 100th appearance for the West Country club.
"We are playing a champion side at home on Friday," added Ford. "We've got to make sure that what we learnt (last Saturday) we take into the next game.
"We are getting there. The last 25 minutes (against Northampton) showed what a good side we are going to be. It's a long, long season.
Every game we've played this season we have done better than last year (in the corresponding fixture), which is very good.
"Last year, we went to Northampton and didn't get a bonus point; last season, we played Leicester at home and didn't get a bonus point.
"Every game we've played this season we have done better than last year (in the corresponding fixture), which is very good."
Wilson is looking for Bath to make home advantage count, ending a run of five successive losses at The Rec against Saracens.
"As soon as we saw the fixture list we knew the start of the season was going to be a tough run," Wilson said.
"They are massive fixtures, but we pride ourselves at home. We make The Rec difficult to come to for any team, and we want to show them what we've got.
"That first half against Northampton was not the best. In the big games, we ultimately want to be proving a point and winning."
Owen Farrell remains absent for Saracens due to a thigh strain, while England team-mate Brad Barritt also misses the trip with a minor calf injury.
Charlie Hodgson continues in the No 10 shirt while Chris Wyles replaces Barritt at inside centre. Captain Alistair Hargreaves returns to the second-row after missing the last two games, and Kelly Brown features in the back-row alongside Jacques Burger and Billy Vunipola.
Bath: 15 Henson, 14 Rokoduguni, 13 Joseph, 12 Eastmond, 11 Woodburn, 10 Ford, 9 Cook; 1 James, 2 Webber, 3 Wilson, 4 Hooper (c), 5 Attwood, 6 Fa'osiliva, 7 Mercer, 8 Houston.
Replacements: 16 Batty, 17 Auterac, 18 Thomas, 19 Day, 20 Sisi, 21 Young, 22 Devoto, 23 Watson
Saracens: 15 Goode, 14 Ashton, 13 Taylor, 12 Wyles, 11 Strettle, 10 Hodgson, 9 de Kock; 1 Gill, 2 George, 3 Johnston, 4 Kruis, 5 Hargreaves (c), 6 Brown, 7 Burger, 8 Vunipola.
Replacements: 16 Spurling, 17 Barrington, 18 Longbottom, 19 Hamilton, 20 Wray, 21 Wigglesworth, 22 Tompkins, 23 Ransom
