Bath v Saracens: Teams

Bath forwards coach Martin Haag is expecting a backlash from Saracens at the Rec on Saturday.

Saracens were thumped 36-10 last time out - albeit with a weakened team in the LV= Cup - and Haag believes they will be out to prove a point as the action returns to the Aviva Premiership.

"We have had a good few training sessions this week, including some good work on the scrums and some 15 on 15 games," he said.

"Saracens have got a lot of strong players and a big squad, and whilst they are missing a few if you look at the team that played Gloucester last week they have near enough their full pack, so we are expecting a very strong side to come down.

"When you lose a game, home or away, you always want to put out a reaction the following week, so I'm sure they will be looking to come down and dominate us. But ultimately it is about us and what we do, not them."

Saracens have made a statement of their intent by naming Brad Barritt, Rhys Gill and Alex Goode in their side.

Barritt and Gill return after injury while Goode will start at full-back, with Owen Farrell retained at fly-half.

There is also a call-up for England Under-20s No.8 Jackson Wray - although Kelly Brown (Scotland), Jacques Burger (Namibia), Michael Tagicakibau (Fiji), Chris Wyles (USA) and Hayden Smith (USA) are all on international duty.

Bath: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Jack Cuthbert, 13 Matt Carraro, 12 Olly Barkley, 11 Tom Biggs, 10 Sam Vesty, 9 Michael Claassens (c), 8 Ben Skirving, 7 Simon Taylor, 6 Andy Beattie, 5 Danny Grewcock, 4 Stuart Hooper, 3 Duncan Bell, 2 Lee Mears, 1 David Flatman.
Replacements: 16 Pieter Dixon, 17 Nathan Catt, 18 Aaron Jarvis, 19 Ignacio Fernandez-Lobbe, 20 Josh Ovens, 21 Guy Mercer, 22 Mark McMillan, 23 Nick Scott.

Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 David Strettle, 13 Kameli Ratuvou, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 James Short, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Jackson Wray, 7 Andy Saull, 6 Justin Melck, 5 Hugh Vyvyan, 4 Steve Borthwick (c), 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Deon Carstens.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Rhys Gill, 18 Petrus du Plessis, 19 Mouritz Botha, 20 Don Barrell, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Nils Mordt, 23 Noah Cato.