Bath v Leicester: Teams

Butch James returns to the Bath starting XV for their crucial Guinness Premiership game against Leicester at the Rec on Tuesday.

Having dislocated his shoulder against Saracens in January, James has not featured since, but the star Springbok will wear the No.10 jersey on Tuesday as Bath look to cement their place in the play-offs.

His return makes it an all South African affair at half-back, with Michael Claassens starting at scrum-half.

Joe Maddock steps in at full-back in place of Nick Abendanon who has a groin strain, and David Flatman takes the place of David Barnes who is still being rested after the eye socket injury he sustained against Bristol.

Forwards coach Mark Bakewell knows it will be a tough challenge facing Leicester, despite the Tigers' injury worries.

"Irrespective of what team Leicester field you know that, given the depth of their squad and the strength of their players, it is always going to be a difficult game and a massive battle," Bakewell said.

Skipper Kay

England international Ben Kay will lead Leicester as Marcelo Loffreda makes several changes from that side that lost to Ospreys in the EDF Energy Cup final on Saturday.

Kay is named as captain, while England U20 international Ollie Dodge makes his league debut on the wing after gaining senior experience with Bedford this season.

Tom Varndell, Christophe Laussucq, Sam Vesty, Benjamin Kayser, Julian White, Richard Blaze and Tom Croft all step up after being named among the replacements at Twickenham on Saturday, while Ayoola Erinle, Matt Cornwell and Ian Humphreys return to the backs.

Club captain Martin Corry is selected among the replacements as Leicester continue their quest for a place in the Guinness Premiership play-off places.

Bath: 15 Joe Maddock, 14 Andrew Higgins, 13 Alex Crockett, 12 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 Butch James, 9 Michael Claassens; 1 David Flatman, 2 Lee Mears, 3 Matt Stevens, 4 Steve Borthwick (c), 5 Danny Grewcock, 6 Jonny Faamatuainu, 7 Michael Lipman, 8 Daniel Browne.
Replacements: 16 Pieter Dixon, 17 Duncan Bell, 18 Peter Short, 19 Chris Goodman, 20 Mike Baxter, 21 Olly Barkley, 22 Michael Stephenson.

Leicester: 15 Sam Vesty, 14 Tom Varndell, 13 Ayoola Erinle, 12 Matt Cornwell, 11 Ollie Dodge, 10 Ian Humphreys, 9 Christophe Laussucq; 1 Marcos Ayerza, 2 Benjamin Kayser, 3 Julian White, 4 Richard Blaze, 5 Ben Kay (c), 6 Tom Croft, 7 Ben Pienaar, 8 Brett Deacon.
Replacements: 16 Mefin Davies, 17 Alex Moreno, 18 Martin Corry, 19 Jordan Crane, 20 Frank Murphy, 21 Aaron Mauger, 22 Johne Murphy.