14 September 2017

Sam Underhill will make his Bath Rugby debut tomorrow evening against Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership clash at Franklin’s Gardens, kick-off 19:45.

Underhill is one of four changes to the starting line-up that beat Saracens 31-21 last time out, with Ben Tapuai, Kahn Fotuali’i and Charlie Ewels all making their first starts of the season.

England international Underhill lines-up on the openside flank, forming a formidable back-row with Taulupe Faletau and captain Matt Garvey. Ewels comes in to the second row alongside Elliott Stooke, whilst the front-row is unchanged.

Fotuali’i, who came on early in the first-half last week at the Rec, links up with Rhys Priestland in the half-backs, as Tapuai joins Jonathan Joseph in the midfield. Semesa Rokoduguni, who has scored three tries in two games, and Matt Banahan start out wide, with Anthony Watson providing the threat from fullback.

Unavailable for selection: Dave Attwood, Ross Batty, Nathan Catt, Luke Charteris, Chris Cook, Tom Ellis, Tom Homer, Max Lahiff, Shaun Knight, Kane Palma-Newport, Henry Thomas, Jeff Williams

Bath Rugby team to face Northampton Saints

15. Anthony Watson

14. Semesa Rokoduguni

13. Jonathan Joseph

12. Ben Tapuai

11. Matt Banahan

10. Rhys Priestland

9. Kahn Fotuali’i

1. Beno Obano

2. Tom Dunn

3. Anthony Perenise

4. Charlie Ewels

5. Elliott Stooke

6. Matt Garvey (capt)

7. Sam Underhill

8. Taulupe Faletau

Replacements

16. Jack Walker

17. Nick Auterac

18. Scott Andrews

19. James Phillips

20. Paul Grant

21. Darren Allinson

22. Freddie Burns

23. Max Clark