Saracens v Bath: Teams

Alan Gaffney has made three changes as his Saracens side prepare for their crucial Guinness Premiership clash against Bath at Vicarage Road on Sunday.

The visitors know a win could see them take up top spot if Gloucester slip up against Wasps, but Saracens have title aspirations of their own and will be determined to keep up the pressure at the top.

Gaffney has brought David Seymour, Tom Ryder and Adam Powell into the starting line-up for the rested Richard Hill, ankle injury victim Kevin Sorrell and Chris Jack who has returned to New Zealand for a family commitment.

Kameli Ratuvou is also being rested as Don Barrell, Edd Thrower and Francisco Leonelli come into the squad.

"The matches just seem to be getting bigger and bigger every week and the game against Bath is no different," said Gaffney.

"We've slipped up a bit in our previous two Premiership games so it's important that we start to consolidate a top four position and get the win on Sunday.

"We've now got a block of seven consecutive Premiership games and the results of those will go a long way to determining our final league position.

Focused

"We know that Sunday will be tough game as Bath are enjoying a very good season.

"They have an excellent forward pack and have recruited well in the backline with Butch James and Michael Claassens coming into the side.

"We've put ourselves in a good position in qualifying for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals and EDF Energy Cup semi final, but now it's important that we put that to one side and make sure all our efforts are focused on the Premiership."

Bath prop Matt Stevens is set to make his 100th appearance for the club on Sunday and is joined in the front row by Lee Mears and David Barnes.

Head coach Steve Meehan is fielding a changed side from the one that played against Auch in the European Challenge Cup.

Nick Abendanon returns at full-back forcing Joe Maddock out onto the wing, Shaun Berne moves to outside centre and Olly Barkley comes in at twelve.

Butch James and Michael Claassens will start at half-back as Matt Banahan returns on the other wing.

Saracens: 15 Brent Russell, 14 Richard Haughton, 13 Adam Powell, 12 Andy Farrell, 11 Rodd Penney, 10 Glen Jackson, 9 Neil de Kock (c), 8 Ben Skirving, 7 David Seymour, 6 Kris Chesney, 5 Hugh Vyvyan, 4 Tom Ryder, 3 Cencus Johnston, 2 Fabio Ongaro, 1 Nick Lloyd.

Replacements: 16 Andy Kyriacou, 17 Tom Mercey, 18 Paul Gustard, 19 Don Barrell, 20 Alan Dickens, 21 Edd Thrower, 22 Francisco Leonelli

Bath: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Joe Maddock, 13 Shaun Berne (c), 12 Olly Barkley, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 Butch James, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Daniel Browne, 7 Michael Lipman, 6 Andy Beattie, 5 Danny Grewcock, 4 Steve Borthwick, 3 Matt Stevens, 2 Lee Mears, 1 David Barnes.

Replacements 16 Pieter Dixon, 17 Aaron Jarvis, 18 Peter Short, 19 Jonny Faamatuainu, 20 Mike Baxter, 21 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, 22 Andrew Higgins.