Springbok flanker Francois Louw will captain Bath Rugby in the Amlin Challenge Cup tomorrow as they take on SU Agen in France.
It will be the South African’s first appearance since the opening game of the season, following his call-up to represent the Springboks in the Rugby Championship.
Louw leads a more familiar line-up to that which secured a bonus point victory over Bucharest Wolves last weekend.
He is joined in the back row by Will Skuse and Ben Skirving at openside flanker and number 8 respectively. Dominic Day returns to the starting line-up in place of Will Spencer, who picked up a knock in Romania, where he partners Dave Attwood in the second row.
Lee Mears starts at hooker, with Paul James and David Wilson at either side.
Michael Claassens and Stephen Donald renew their half-back partnership, while Ben Williams and Dan Hipkiss line-up in the centres. Tom Biggs and Kyle Eastmond are out wide on the wings, with Nick Abendanon returning at fullback.
Thursday, 18 October 2012
Kick off: 20:45
Stade Armandie
Referee: Neil Hennessy (Wal),
Assistant Ref: James Jones,
Assistant Ref: Martyn Lewis,
TMO: Gareth Simmonds,
Citing Commissioner: Aurwel Morgan.
Teams
Agen: Louis Bataille; Leka Tagotago, Benjamin Petre, Mathieu Lamoulie, Belisario Agulla; Raphael Lagarde, Alexis Bales (c); John Schwalger, Semisi Telefoni, Viliamu Afatia, Leo Bastien, Damien Lagrange, Antoine Erbani, Pierre Julien, Opeti Fonua.
Replacements: Julien Janaudy, Laurent Cabarry, Johnson Falefa, William Demotte, Ueleni Fono, Sylvain Dupuy, Vincent Roux, Romain Edmond Samuel.
Bath Rugby: Nick Abendanon; Kyle Eastmond, Dan Hipkiss, Ben Williams, Tom Biggs; Stephen Donald, Michael Claassens; Paul James, Lee Mears, Dave Wilson, Dominic Day, Dave Attwood, Francois Louw (c), Will Skuse, Ben Skirving
Replacements: Will Tanner, Nathan Catt, Anthony Perenise, Guy Mercer, Josh Ovens, Mark McMillan, Sam Vesty, Olly Woodburn.
