Stevens handed his big chance

The Bath Rugby Head Coach has made four changes to the side that lost 16-19 to Heineken Cup Champions last weekend. Club Captain Jonathan Humphreys is out with a sore shoulder and his place in the side is taken by Lee Mears with Rob Hawkins stepping up to the bench. Also in the front row Matt Stevens is handed his chance, whilst England Under 21 international James Scaysbrook starts at openside as Michael Lipman is rested. The one change in the backs sees Nick Walshe start at scrum half after impressing in the Wasps game last weekend.

"We have rotated a few people," said Connolly. "It has been a tough start to the season and there are some very good players desperate to get game time. Those players now have their chance and I am sure that they will take it with both hands.

England international prop Matt Stevens prop is one such player to get that chance tomorrow. He has started just three times for his club and all three have come in Europe and tomorrow's game will be his first start of the season. The 22-year-old says that he is relishing the opportunity of coming up against a physical Bourgoin pack.

"They are a brilliant scrumming proposition and they have a very big pack so it will be a massive challenge," he said. "However, I am really looking forward to getting out there on Saturday. We have worked hard all week in preparation of our return to the Heineken Cup and it is something that we are all really looking forward to."

Bourgoin may not be a side packed with internationals, but Connolly is wary of the dangers they present, particularly up front where they possess one of the toughest packs in French rugby. "We are expecting a tough forward battle as, under Laurent Seigne, Bourgoin play a very physical game up front. They too will be looking to get off to the best possible start and we are going to have to contain them up front if we are to win this match."

Bath: L Best; A Higgins, R Fleck, M Tindall, B Daniel; O Barkley, N Walshe; D Barnes, L Mears, M Stevens, S Borthwick (capt), D Grewcock, A Beattie, J Scaysbrook, I Feaunati
Replacements: M Wood, R Hawkins, D Bell, C Malone, A Crockett, G Delve, R Fidler,
Bourgoin: A Forest; L Soucaze, G Davis, G Esterhuizen, J Coux; B Boyet, M Forest; O Milloud, B Cabello, P Peyron, A mazel, P Pape, N Bontinck, J Bonnaire, P Raschi (capt)
Replacements: F Pucciariello, T Taumoepeau, J Castex, F Montagnat, D Venditti, M Albina, F Gengenbacher,
Referee: Rob Dickson (Scotland)