Priestland back at 10 for Bath

Jacques du Toit will make his first Gallagher Premiership start when Bath Rugby welcome Sale Sharks to the Rec.

The South African hooker has featured twice in the league as a replacement and will wear the number two shirt for the first time on Friday night.

Prop Henry Thomas joins du Toit in the front row, replacing the injured Will Stuart at tighthead, while Charlie Ewels returns as captain in the second row alongside Will Spencer.

Back row duo Sam Underhill and Zach Mercer come back in at openside flanker and Number 8 respectively to complete the pack changes.

Bath will have fresh faces at half-back for Sale’s visit. Rhys Priestland, who scored last time out against Bristol Bears, is back at fly-half outside scrum-half Will Chudley.

On the bench, Academy graduate Tom Doughty will make his first Premiership appearance should he appear from the bench.

BATH RUGBY SIDE TO PLAY SALE SHARKS

15. Tom de Glanville, 14. Anthony Watson, 13. Max Clark, 12. Cameron Redpath, 11. Will Muir, 10. Rhys Priestland, 9. Will Chudley; 1. Juan Schoeman, 2. Jacques du Toit, 3. Henry Thomas, 4. Will Spencer, 5. Charlie Ewels ©, 6. Josh Bayliss, 7. Sam Underhill, 8. Zach Mercer

REPLACEMENTS

16. Tom Doughty, 17. Jamie Bhatti, 18. Christian Judge, 19. Josh McNally, 20. Taulupe Faletau, 21. Ben Spencer, 22. Orlando Bailey, 23. Joe Cokanasiga