Big names return as Bath prepare to give unbeaten Chiefs a ‘tough night’

Bath have reverted to their strongest line-up for the visit of Exeter tonight having ignited controversy over their team selection for Saracens in the previous round.

Director of rugby Todd Blackadder defended his decision to rest 13 players for the rout against the reigning Gallagher Premiership champions due to the demands of the coming weeks and the desire to avoid “breaking guys”.

The big names return for the showdown against the Chiefs, however, with Zach Mercer and Taulupe Faletau restored to the back row and Dave Attwood and Charlie Ewels present at lock.

Also included among the 12 changes are Joe Cokanasiga’s return to the left wing and Freddie Burns’ inclusion at full-back, enabling Rhys Priestland to retain his place at stand-off.

Francois Louw has been recalled by South Africa for their final Rugby Championship match against New Zealand and so is unavailable.

Bath will be looking to inflict a first defeat of the season on Exeter who, alongside Saracens are the league’s only unbeaten team having amassed 24 out of a possible 25 points.

“Unless we are bang on, it’s going to be a tough night for us,” Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter said.

“That said, we’ve got to enjoy this kind of challenge because I do believe it could be a great marker of what kind of performance we will need to put in over this next few games.

“Obviously, we’ve had a great start and laid some very good foundations, but are we really performing at that high- level? Probably not at this stage.

“My biggest aim for the weekend, regardless of the win or the loss, is that I’m looking at our players and thinking these guys are ready and that they want to crank things up moving forward.”

Exeter recall England trio Luke Cowan-dickie, Don Armand and Henry Slade, but Jonny Hill and Sam Simmonds are out with long-term injuries.

0 Taulupe Faletau: Recall.