Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Bath recall their England stars for big Sharks clash
BATH quartet Joe Cokanasiga, Charlie Ewels, Sam Underhill and Francois Louw all return from international duty to face Sale Sharks at the Rec tomorrow.
Zach Mercer will also make his 50th appearance for the club, as the 21-year-old lines-up in the back row alongside Louw and Underhill.
Ewels will captain the side and will be joined in the second row by Elliott Stooke, who was also part of the England set-up for the Quilter Autumn Internationals.
Jack Walker comes into the starting line-up at hooker, with Nathan Catt and Henry Thomas completing the front row.
Kahn Fotuali’i will wear the num- ber nine shirt for the visit of Sale, with Freddie Burns completing an experienced half-back pairing after recovering from injury.
After scoring two tries in as many games for his country, Cokanasiga will look to continue his rich vein of form on the left wing.
Semesa Rokoduguni lines up on the other flank, with Ruaridh McConnochie making his first Gallagher Premiership start at full-back.
James Wilson has been named among the replacements after rejoining the club earlier this week.
Chris Ashton comes in at full-back for Sale. It will be the England man’s first appearance for the club in the Premiership. His debut was in the European Challenge Cup against Connacht, and he scored a hat-trick.
He has since been on duty with the Red Rose.
Lining up for his 100th appearance for the North West outfit is second row forward Josh Beaumont.
Byron McGuigan and Josh Strauss return from duty with Scotland to play for the Sharks.
Bath are currently eighth in the table, slap bang in the middle of the congestion between fifth and the bottom of the table.
On-loan Worcester fly-half Luke Scully will make his first start for Hartpury in the second part of their Championship Cup double-header with Cornish Pirates at the Gillman’s Ground this afternoon.
He made a second-half cameo in Penzance in last weekend’s meeting, which included a harsh yellow card for an adjudged high tackle.
Luke Eves, who has been out injured, and Mike Wilcox return at centre and full-back respectively in a much-changed Hartpury side.
Simon Linsell returns to the starting XV as skipper, while former Gloucester prop forward Rupert Harden is also back after missing last week’s trip.