Double scrum-half boost for Bath as Spencer returns vs Montpellier

Bath welcome back two of their scrum-halves from injury, club captain Ben Spencer and Bernard van der Linde, for Saturday’s Champions Cup tie at home to Montpellier.

England international Spencer makes his first appearance of the season, having undergone shoulder surgery in the summer, and starts the game alongside Finn Russell.

South African van der Linde provides cover for Spencer on the bench, having overcome the knock which saw him sit out the heavy PREM defeat at Northampton last weekend.

Welcoming last year’s EPCR Challenge Cup winners to the Rec, Bath field an all-England international front row of Beno Obano, Tom Dunn and Will Stuart.

After an impressive show last weekend, Will Jeanes makes his European debut alongside Charlie Ewels in the second row.

Ted Hill and Guy Pepper take to the flanks and Arthur Green will start at No.8, looking to continue the form he showed at DPD Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.

Outside of Spencer and Russell, England duo Max Ojomoh ane Ollie Lawrence make up the midfield combination.

A week after making a try-scoring PREM debut, Charlie Griffin is set for his European bow on the left wing, Joe Cokanasiga lines up on the right, while Santi Carreras completes the starting XV at full-back.

Bath Rugby: 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Will Stuart, 4 Will Jeanes, 5 Charlie Ewels, 6 Ted Hill, 7 Guy Pepper, 8 Arthur Green, 9 Ben Spencer (c), 10 Finn Russell, 11 Charlie Griffin, 12 Max Ojomoh, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 15 Santi Carreras

Replacements: 16 Dan Frost, 17 Scott Kirk, 18 Archie Griffin, 19 Ewan Richards, 20 Josh Bayliss, 21 Bernard van der Linde, 22 Cameron Redpath, 23 Kepueli Tuipulotu