Leicester v Bath: Teams

Leicester boss Richard Cockerill has made three changes to the side that defeated Bristol on the opening day of the season.

Fly-half Andy Goode returns after failing a fitness test before last week's match, so Paul Burke reverts to the bench.

Wing Matt Smith, who was only named amongst the replacements because of Goode's absence, made the most of his chance after coming on for the injured Ayoola Erinle, who has failed to recover so Smith will start this time.

In the pack, flanker Tom Croft comes in at blindside for Owen Finegan, who is not named in the 22.

Cuthbert dropped

Bath welcome back Andy Higgins and Danny Grewcock for the trip to their old rivals.

Wing Higgins comes in for Jack Cuthbert, who drops to the bench, while Grewcock goes straight into the starting XV after missing the opening win against Worcester through suspension.

Head Coach Steve Meehan said: "We had some things to work on but it was a great start to the season, especially when you consider some the experience of our younger players.

"From that perspective it was spot on. It was a very pleasing afternoon.

"The injured players who have arrived back in the squad, have arrived with high hopes of doing well and building on all the work done pre-season."

Leicester: 15 Johne Murphy, 14 Matt Smith, 13 Ollie Smith, 12 Sam Vesty, 11 Tom Varndell, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Frank Murphy; 1 Boris Stankovich, 2 Benjamin Kayser, 3 Julian White, 4 Louis Deacon (captain), 5 Marco Wentzel, 6 Tom Croft, 7 Luke Abraham, 8 Brett Deacon

Replacements: 16 Mefin Davies, 17 Dave Young, 18 Richard Blaze, 19 Jordan Crane, 20 Christophe Laussucq, 21 Paul Burke, 22 Matt Cornwell

Bath: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Andy Higgins, 13 Tom Cheeseman, 12 Shaun Berne, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 Ryan Davis, 9 Michael Claassens; 1 David Barnes, 2 Pieter Dixon, 3 Aaron Jarvis, 4 Peter Short, 5 Danny Grewcock, 6 Andy Beattie, 7 James Scaysbrook, 8 Zak Feaunati (c)

Replacements: 16 Rob Hawkins, 17 Lorne Ward, 18 Daniel Browne, 19 Jonny Faamatuainu, 20 Martin Purdy, 21 Nick Walshe, 22 Jack Cuthbert