European Rugby Champions Cup: Sam Burgess to make his first Bath start against Montpellier
Friday 12 December 2014 06:24, UK
Sam Burgess will make his first start for Bath in Friday’s European Champions Cup meeting with Montpellier at the Recreation Grounds.
The cross-code star has been named at inside centre after impressing in his two appearances from the bench, and partners Jonathan Joseph in midfield.
Bath are also boosted by the return of South Africa flanker Francois Louw, who makes his first appearance of the season after recovering from a neck injury suffered on international duty in September.
Louw starts at openside alongside Leroy Houston and Alafoti Fa’osiliva, who made his comeback from injury in last weekend’s impressive 30-5 victory at a muddy Altrad Stadium.
Bath have also named three returning internationals in their pack. Dave Attwood joins Dominic Day in the second row, with David Wilson and captain Paul James scrumming down either side of Ross Batty.
Semesa Rokoduguni replaces Horacio Agulla on the wing, while fellow England international George Ford continues at fly-half after kicking 15 points in last weekend's success.
Montpellier, who have lost all three fixtures in Europe this season, make eight changes for Friday’s return fixture.
Jonathan Pelissie starts at scrum-half in place of Benoit Paillaugue, who drops to the bench, with Pierre Berard, Robert Ebersohn and Viriviri Nasagavesi all coming into the backline.
Na’ama Leleimalefaga and Charles Geli are named in the front row, with captain Fulgence Ouedraogo and Akapusi Qera selected in the back row.
Bath: 15 Anthony Watson, 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Sam Burgess, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 George Ford, 9 Chris Cook; 1 Paul James (c), 2 Ross Batty, 3 David Wilson, 4 Dominic Day, 5 Dave Attwood, 6 Alafoti Fa’osiliva, 7 Francois Louw, 8 Leroy Houston.
Replacements: 16 Rob Webber, 17 Nick Auterac, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Stuart Hooper, 20 David Sisi, 21 Micky Young, 22 Ollie Devoto, 23 Horacio Agulla.
Montpellier: 15 Pierre Berard, 14 Yohann Artru, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Viriviri Nasagavesi, 10 Enzo Selponi, 9 Jonathan Pelissie; 1 Na'ama Leleimalefaga, 2 Charles Geli, 3 Pat Cilliers, 4 Robins Tchale Watchou, 5 Thibaut Privat, 6 Fulgence Ouedraogo (c), 7 Akapusi Qera, 8 Alex Tulou.
Replacements: 16 Mickael Ivaldi, 17 Yvan Watremez, 18 David Attoub, 19 Tom Donnelly, 20 Alexandre Bias, 21 Benoit Paillaugue, 22 Rene Ranger, 23 Benoit Sicart.
