Johann van Graan faces a big selection call for Bath's clash with Montpellier

Bath boss Johann van Graan says he will make a late call on whether Ben Spencer will lead the team out against Montpellier at The Rec on Saturday.

The England scrum-half hasn’t played for Bath yet this season after undergoing shoulder surgery in the summer.

Tom Carr-Smith, Bernard van der Linde and Ieuan Davies have shared the scrum-half duties in Spencer’s absence, although van der Linde is currently nursing a knock.

“We’ll make a decision later in the week if we are going to go with Ben; he hasn’t played in a long time but is our captain,” van Graan said.

Miles Reid captained the side in the helter-skelter 71-48 defeat at Northampton last weekend, but his 150th club appearance was cut short when he took a bang to the head in the first half.

“He is not available for the weekend. He failed his HIA, so he is on a 12-day (stand down), so even for Gloucester, that’s going to be tough and go,” van Graan confirmed.

“He was fine after the game. Obviously it was a big day for him, his 150th game. But he is not available.”

Van Graan shared one piece of positive news on the injury front as Bath prepare to launch their bid to go one better than last year and reach the Champions Cup final.

“Louie Hennessey has returned to full training, so it is great to have him back,” said van Graan.

With Reid and Sam Underhill out injured, the jackaling qualities of England flanker Guy Pepper will be vital for Bath at the breakdown this weekend.

And Pepper is determined that Bath won’t be wondering ‘what if’ this time around after losing in last season’s semi-finals to Bordeaux.

Speaking on the eve of the competition, Pepper said: “We’re very hungry for this competition. You saw last year what we did. I think we came off that field pitch pinching ourselves because I think we were in it.

“At that level it’s fine margins, one or two moments let us down in the game, and as a group I think we knew where we could get to.”