Underhill is out to make his Lions case
SAM Underhill will complete a half-century of Bath appearances knowing a strong performance against Montpellier today could secure a place in the British and Irish Lions squad.
Warren Gatland will be watching the Challenge Cup semi-final from the stands at the Recreation Ground just five days before he names his 36-strong party for the summer series against South Africa.
Anthony Watson and Taulupe Faletau also start and are certain to be picked by Gatland, but Underhill would benefit from a timely reminder of his destructive power as a big-hitting flanker having missed the Six Nations because of a hip injury.
The England back row plays in a ferociously competitive position where the Lions are populated with a number of high-quality options.
Bath won the Challenge Cup in 2008, while Montpellier followed in their footsteps in 2016. Bath won both previous meetings between the rivals in 2006-07.
Montpellier are enduring a troubled season and occupy a lowly 12th place in the French Top 14, forcing them to battle to avoid a relegation play-off match.
“What’s important is that there is a real desire for the group to win a trophy for themselves,” Bath boss Stuart Hooper said.
“With that comes the history, but more importantly it’s a motivation about what they can achieve together.”
■ SARACENS start five of their England contingent including captain Owen Farrell in today’s Greene King IPA Championship match against Nottingham.
Full-back Elliot Daly, prop Mako Vunipola, lock Maro Itoje and number eight Billy Vunipola are also present in the starting XV for the tip to The Bay.
Hooker Jamie George is rotated on to the bench alongside back row Jackson Wray and prop Vincent Koch, with boss Mark McCall making nine changes to the side that thumped leaders Ealing last weekend.
Saracens are five points adrift of Ealing in third place but they have a game in hand on their London rivals and second-place Doncaster.