Bath v London Irish: Teams

After securing a bonus point win last weekend against Worcester Warriors, Bath now face London Irish at The Rec on Saturday.

With two games still in hand, Bath Rugby's Guinness Premiership campaign is still looking very promising.

However, this end of the season is never a time to get complacent and head coach Steve Meehan is in no doubt that there is still quite a challenge ahead.

"We came off the benefit of gaining five points last week and it is important that we double that up and get another win under our belts this weekend," he said.

"Winning our matches at home is vital in this competition and picking up some on the road is the difference between mid-table and finishing in the semi-finals.

"We have done nicely on the road so far this season and have slipped up once at home, so we need to ensure that is the only time we slip up. This is an important game for us."

Bob Casey returns to lead the London Irish team having captained Ireland A to victory over Scotland A last weekend.

Casey is partnered in the second row by James Hudson who returns to the club where he started his Premiership career.

Bath: 15 Joe Maddock, 14 Andrew Higgins, 13 Alex Crockett, 12 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 Butch James, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Daniel Browne, 7 Michael Lipman (c), 6 Andy Beattie, 5 Stuart Hooper, 4 Justin Harrison, 3 Duncan Bell, 2 Pieter Dixon, 1 David Flatman.
Replacements: 16 Rob Hawkins, 17 Aaron Jarvis, 18 Peter Short, 19 Jonny Faamatuainu, 20 Scott Bemand, 21 Shaun Berne, 22 Nick Abendanon.

London Irish: 15 Tom Homer, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Elvis Seveali'i, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Adam Thompstone, 10 Shane Geraghty, 9 Paul Hodgson, 8 Chris Hala'Ufia, 7 Steffon Armitage, 6 Richard Thorpe, 5 Bob Casey (c), 4 James Hudson, 3 Alex Corbisiero, 2 James Buckland, 1 Clarke Dermody.
Replacements: 16 Tonga Lea'aetoa, 17 Danie Coetzee, 18 Gary Johnson, 19 Declan Danaher, 20 Peter Richards, 21 Alfredo Lalanne, 22 Eoghan Hickey.