Stephenson to make debut
Michael Stephenson will finally pull on the Bath jersey for the visit of Saracens.
Bath v Saracens
Guinness Premiership, Recreation Ground, Sunday November 13, KO 14.15
Michael Stephenson will make his long-awaited debut for Bath on Sunday, as Saracens head to the Rec.
The former Newcastle Falcons wing has been out of action since April after breaking his tibia and fibula.
However, he is now ready to bolster a Bath team that limply handed victory to London Irish last week.
Stephenson admits that he is getting a small attack of the metaphorical butterflies, but he cannot wait to finally pull on the famous Bath jersey.
"It will be a tough test making my Bath debut against Saracens," said Stephenson. "Of course I am bit nervous but am excited at the same time.
Bath were surprisingly poor in the line-out at the Madejski Stadium, and they will hope to have solved the problem caused by the absence of irreplaceable duo Steve Borthwick and Danny Grewcock.
Peter Short joins Stephenson in making his debut, and he will form a new-look second row with Rob Fidler.
Elsewhere, there is a starting birth for the recently recovered Michael Lipman, who forms a formidable back row with Andy Beattie and Isaac Feaunati.
Bath are missing several key men due to international duty, which means Andy Dunne will play at fly half in the absence of Olly Barkley and Chris Malone.
Saracens welcome back Tevita Vaikona to the bench for thr trip to the West Country.
The winger has only played 45 minutes this season but is now fit but Sarries will have to do without Thomas Castaignede, Shane Byrne and Moses Rauluni due to international duty.
Head coach Mike Ford, who could add Tom Ryder, Billy O'Driscoll and Ben T Russell to the squad, is expecting the hosts to provide a stiff test for his side.
He said: "Bath will be smarting from their defeat to London Irish last weekend and before that game had been on a very good run.
"They have a very talented coaching staff and they would have taken the steps to put things right for this weekend so we're expecting a tough game."
Bath team: 15 Lee Best, 14 Joe Maddock, 13 Andy Higgins, 12 Ryan Davis, 11 Michael Stephenson, 10 Andy Dunne, 9 Nick Walshe, 1 David Barnes, 2 Pieter Dixon, 3 Duncan Bell, 4 Rob Fidler, 5 Peter Short, 6 Andy Beattie (capt), 7 Michael Lipman, 8 Zak Feaunati
Replacements: Rob Hawkins, Chris Loader, Gareth Delve, James Scaysbrook, Andy Williams, Nick Abendanon, James Hudson
Saracens team: 15 Dan Scarbrough, 14 Richard Haughton, 13 Mark Bartholomeusz, 12 Kevin Sorrell, 11 Paul Bailey, 10 Glen Jackson, 9 Alan Dickens, 1 Kevin Yates, 2 Matt Cairns, 3 Cobus Visagie, 4 Simon Raiwalui, 5 Iain Fullarton, 6 Hugh Vyvyan, 7 David Seymour
8 Ben Skirving
Replacements: 16 Andy Kyriacou, 17 Ben Broster, 18 Kris Chesney, 19 Steffon Armitage, 20 Kyran Bracken, 21 Ben J Russell, 22 Tevita Vaikona
