Premiership: Bath to break Sarries?
Bath coach Mike Ford believes his side have the attacking weapons at their disposal to break down Saracens' defence when they welcome the English Premiership leaders to the Recreation Ground on Friday.
Saracens, last season's beaten Premiership finalist, have started this season with four successive wins and, even without injured England flyhalf Owen Farrell, the London club will present a formidable challenge to their west country hosts.
However, third-placed Bath – who've won three and lost one of their four league matches this season – made the rest of England's top flight sit up and take notice with their 45-0 thrashing of perennial contenders Leicester.
"It is a huge test," Ford said. "They (Saracens) were the only team we didn't take any points off last season. We know what is coming, everyone knows what is coming.
"We think, though, we've got a game that can unlock them. The proof will be in the pudding. It will be an exciting game," added Ford, a former England defence coach, whose son George is Bath's flyhalf and vying with Farrell for the England No.10 shirt.
Ford has made one change to the side beaten 31-24 by champions Northampton last weekend – a match where Bath were 31-10 adrift at one stage – with Wales international Gavin Henson starting at fullback instead of Luke Arscott.
Meanwhile England prop David Wilson is set to make his 100th Bath appearance.
"We are playing a champion side at home on Friday," Ford added. "We've got to make sure that what we learnt (last Saturday) we take into the next game.
"We are getting there. The last 25 minutes (against Northampton) showed what a good side we are going to be. It's a long, long season.
"Last year, we went to Northampton and didn't get a bonus point; last season, we played Leicester at home and didn't get a bonus point.
"Every game we've played this season we have done better than last year (in the corresponding fixture), which is very good."
Farrell remains sidelined with a thigh strain, although he is expected to be fit in time for England's November international programme.
Former England playmaker Charlie Hodgson continues at flyhalf but England centre Brad Barritt has been ruled out with a minor calf injury.
Saracens captain Alistair Hargreaves returns to the second-row after missing the club's last two games, partnering George Kruis, while Scotland's Kelly Brown is in the back-row alongside Namibia's Jacques Burger and England's Billy Vunipola.
All of the Premiership match details:
Friday, October 3
Bath v Saracens
(Recreation Ground – Kick-off: 19.45; 18.45 GMT)
Teams:
Bath: 15 Gavin Henson, 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Kyle Eastmond, 11 Olly Woodburn, 10 George Ford, 9 Chris Cook, 8 Leroy Houston, 7 Guy Mercer, 6 Alafoti Fa'osiliva, 5 Dave Attwood, 4 Stuart Hooper (captain), 3 David Wilson, 2 Rob Webber, 1 Paul James.
Replacements: 16 Ross Batty, 17 Nick Auterac, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Dominic Day, 20 David Sisi, 21 Micky Young, 22 Ollie Devoto, 23 Anthony Watson.
Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Duncan Taylor, 12 Chris Wyles, 11 David Strettle, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Jacques Burger, 6 Kelly Brown, 5 Alistair Hargreaves (captain), 4 George Kruis, 3 James Johnston, 2 Jamie George, 1 Rhys Gill.
Replacements: 16 Scott Spurling, 17 Richard Barrington, 18 Kieran Longbottom, 19 Jim Hamilton, 20 Jackson Wray, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Nick Tompkins, 23 Ben Ransom.
Referee: Greg Garner
TMO: Geoffrey Warren
Saturday, October 4
Harlequins v London Welsh
(Twickenham Stoop – Kick-off: 15.00; 14.00 GMT)
Teams:
Harlequins: TBC
London Welsh: TBC
Referee: Dean Richards
Assistant referees: Kelvin Stewart, Andy Watson
TMO: Trevor Fisher
London Irish v Northampton Saints
(Madejski Stadium – Kick-off: 15.00; 14.00 GMT)
Teams:
London Irish: TBC
Northampton Saints: TBC
Referee: Matthew Carley
Assistant referees: Andrew Pearce, Peter Huckle
TMO: Rowan Kitt
Gloucester v Leicester Tigers
(Kingsholm – Kick-off: 15.15; 14.15 GMT)
Teams:
Gloucester: TBC
Leicester Tigers: TBC
Referee: Andrew Small
Assistant referees: Ashley Rowden, Roger Baileff
TMO: Sean Davey
Sunday, October 5
Sale Sharks v London Wasps
(AJ Bell Stadium – Kick-off: 14.00; 13.00 GMT)
Teams:
Sale Sharks: TBC
London Wasps: TBC
Referee: Luke Pearce
Assistant referees: Gordon Goodliffe, Paul Burton
TMO: Keith Lewis
Newcastle Falcons v Exeter Chiefs
(Kingston Park – Kick-off: 15.00; 14.00 GMT)
Teams:
Newcastle Falcons: TBC
Exeter Chiefs: TBC
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
Assistant referees: Roy Maybank, Paul Dix
TMO: David Grashoff
