Bath v Harlequins: Teams

Easter: Back in Quins' pack

Bath v Quins

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• Harlequins

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Bath and Harlequins go head-to-head in front of the Sky Sports cameras in a crunch clash at the top of the Guinness Premiership table.

Quins currently lead the way on points difference following their 60-14 victory over struggling Worcester on Wednesday night.

The Twickenham side make the West Country journey with five teams very much in the Guinness Premiership mix, making the fight for points crucial.

Nick Easter helped himself to a hat-trick against the Warriors off the bench but is named in the starting line-up for this weekend.

James Percival and George Robson are back together in the second row while Gary Botha rejoins Ceri Jones and Mike Ross in the front row.

Jordan Turner-Hall is given a rest in the centres, De Wet Barry taking his place, while David Strettle starts on the wing in place of Tom Williams.

Dean Richards' side have beaten Bath in their last two encounters but they haven't won at the Rec since February 2005.

Hard work

Just like their opponents Bath were also in midweek action, though they had to work a little harder to record a win over Wasps.

Michael Lipman was carried off in that game and is not available to face Harlequins. James Scaysbrook takes his place in the pack.

David Flatman's place at loosehead is taken by veteran David Barnes, who joins England hooker Lee Mears and tighthead Duncan Bell.

Bath, who are level on points with both Harlequins and Leicester, have not lost in front of their own fans this year and have won their last three home league fixtures.

Bath: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Joe Maddock, 13 Alex Crockett (c), 12 Shontayne Hape, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 Butch James, 9 Scott Bemand, 8 Jonny Faamatuainu, 7 James Scaysbrook, 6 Andy Beattie, 5 Stuart Hooper, 4 Justin Harrison, 3 Duncan Bell, 2 Lee Mears, 1 David Barnes
Replacements: 16 Rob Hawkins, 17 Aaron Jarvis, 18 Peter Short, 19 Chris Goodman, 20 Mike Baxter, 21 Shaun Berne, 22 Andrew Higgins.

Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 David Strettle, 13 Gonzalo Tiesi, 12 De Wet Barry, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Chris Malone, 9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Will Skinner (capt), 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 George Robson, 4 James Percival, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Ceri Jones
Replacements: 16 Tani Fuga, 17 Mark Lambert, 18 Jim Evans, 19 Tom Guest, 20 Andy Gomarsall, 21 Waisea Luveniyali, 22 Tom Williams.