Bath Rugby v Exeter Chiefs team news for Gallagher Prem semi final

Bath Rugby and Exeter Chiefs have named their squads for Saturday's all-West Country Gallagher Prem semi final.

Defending Gallagher Prem champions Bath have had a somewhat inconsistent season so far, failing to convert the dominance from last season into a sustained period of success.

Despite this, the Blue, Black and Whites did manage to secure a home semi final via a narrow win over Leicester Tigers on the final day, setting up a semi final that they are expected to win.

Meanwhile, Exeter Chiefs have had a remarkable season so far, reacting to a ninth place finish last season with a third place finish this campaign, as comfortably the most improved side in the division.

Rob Baxter's men have it all to do as they travel to the Recreational Ground, but they do so while riding the crest of a wave, having secured their spot in the play-offs thanks to a win over fifth place Saracens last weekend.

Johan Van Graan has named a strong side for Bath's third home semi final in as many seasons, which includes England centre Max Ojomoh, who will make his 100th appearance for the club.

Ojomoh is joined in the centres by his England teammate Ollie Lawrence, with Tom de Glanville, Joe Cokanasiga and Henry Arundell completing a set of English outside backs.

Argentinian Santi Carreras starts at fly half in the absence of the talismanic Finn Russell, partnered at half back by Ben Spencer, who captains the side.

Beno Obano, Tom Dunn and Thomas du Toit form a familiar front row, with Quinn Roux and Charlie Ewels making up the second row.

Josh Bayliss is preferred to Ted Hill - who makes the bench - at blindside flanker, joined by Sam Underhill and Alfie Barbeary in the back row.

Rob Baxter is boosted by the return of Greg Fisilau to his Exeter Chiefs side, joining Tom Hooper and Christ Tshiunza in a blockbuster back row.

Scott Sio, Max Norey and Josh Iosefa-Scott make up the front row, in front of a lock pairing of captain Dafydd Jenkins and Andrea Zambonin.

Stephen Varney and Harvey Skinner are the half back pairing, with Len Ikitau and Henry Slade making up an international centre partnership outside them.

Olly Woodburn continues at 15, joined in the back three by Paul Brown-Bampoe and Campbell Ridl, with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso still sidelined with an injury.

Bath Rugby team news

Starting XV: 15 Tom de Glanville, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Max Ojomoh, 11 Henry Arundell, 10 Santi Carreras, 9 Ben Spencer (c); 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Thomas du Toit, 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Charlie Ewels, 6 Josh Bayliss, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Alfie Barbeary.

Substitutes: 16 Kepueli Tuipulotu, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Vilikesa Sela, 19 Ross Molony, 20 Ted Hill, 21 Bernard van der Linde, 22 Cameron Redpath, 23 Miles Reid.

Exeter Chiefs team news

Starting XV: 15 Olly Woodburn, 14 Paul Brown-Bampoe, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Campbell Ridl, 10 Harvey Skinner, 9 Stephen Varney; 1 Scott Sio, 2 Max Norey, 3 Josh Iosefa-Scott, 4 Dafydd Jenkins (c), 5 Andrea Zambonin, 6 Tom Hooper, 7 Christ Tshiunza, 8 Greg Fisilau.

Substitutes: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Ethan Burger, 18 Bachuki Tchumbadze, 19 Rusi Tuima, 20 Ross Vintcent, 21 Tom Cairns, 22 Zack Wimbush, 23 Ben Hammersley.