Defending Prem Rugby champions Northampton Saints will be aiming to return to winning ways when they entertain Bath at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday.
The Saints beat Newcastle Red Bulls 59-26 on the opening night of the Prem Rugby season, but they succumbed to a 41-26 defeat away to Bristol Bears last weekend as Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit played a starring role for the hosts.
Bath, on the other hand, have started the campaign with two wins from two after they kicked off the season with a 33-17 win away at Harlequins before conquering Exeter Chiefs 40-34 at the Rec.
These two teams have produced some barnstorming encounters over the years, not least in the 2025/26 season, where Bath triumphed 43-41 in the Champions Cup before Northampton exacted their revenge a fortnight later with a 41-38 win at Franklin's Gardens in the Prem.
Northampton chief Phil Dowson makes four changes from the side that was beaten by Bristol with JJ Van Der Mescht, Callum Chick, Alex Mitchell and James Pater all drafted into the XV.
Pater returns to the fullback shirt with Ollie Sleightholme shifting to the wing alongside skipper Fraser Dingwall.
The Saints opt for a six-two bench this weekend, where Ed Prowse is primed to make his 50th appearance for the club.
Bath confirmed full-back Tom de Glanville will miss Saturday's trip to Northamptonshire with an Achilles issue.
Argentina star Santiago Carreras is back in the fold after missing the win over Exeter with a calf issue and he completes the selection at fullback.
Captain Miles Reid is set for his 150th appearance for his boyhood club and Charlie Griffin will make his Prem debut on the left wing.
Tom Carr-Smith and Finn Russell will operate as half-backs, while Ross Molony will make his first appearance of the season alongside Will Jeanes in the second row.
Sam Underhill remains sidelined until December at the earliest, while Jamie Bhatti is expected to return in January after undergoing surgery on his biceps and forearm.
Northampton Saints team news
Starting XV: 15 James Pater, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Rory Hutchinson, 12 Fraser Dingwall (c), 11 Ollie Sleightholme, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell, 1 Emmanuel Iyogun, 2 Curtis Langdon, 3 Cleopas Kundiona, 4 Alex Coles, 5 JJ Van Der Mescht, 6 Josh Kemeny, 7 Henry Pollock, 8 Callum Chick.
Replacements: 16 Robbie Smith, 17 Danilo Fischetti, 18 Ion Neculai, 19 Tom Lockett, 20 Ed Prowse, 21 Josh Taylor, 22 Archie McParland, 23 Anthony Belleau.
Bath team news
Starting XV: 15 Santi Carreras, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Max Ojomoh, 12 Cameron Redpath, 11 Charlie Griffin, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Tom Carr-Smith, 1 Scott Kirk, 2 Kepueli Tuipulotu, 3 Archie Griffin, 4 Will Jeanes, 5 Ross Molony, 6 Josh Bayliss, 7 Miles Reid (c), 8 Arthur Green
Replacements: 16 Tom Dunn, 17 Beno Obano, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Charlie Ewels, 20 Ted Hill, 21 Ieuan Davies, 22 Ollie Lawrence, 23 Jaco Coetzee.
