Investec Champions Cup: Finn Russell starts for Bath against old club Racing 92
- Published
Scotland fly-half Finn Russell has helped to rejuvenate Bath's attack this season
Investec Champions Cup: Pool 2 - Bath v Racing 92 |
|---|
Venue: The Recreation Ground Date: Sunday, 14 January Kick-off: 13:00 GMT |
Coverage: Live on Sports Extra & score updates and match report on the BBC Sport website |
Bath fly-half Finn Russell will start against his old team Racing 92 on Sunday in the Investec Champions Cup.
Russell, 31, moved to the French club in 2018 and reached the Champions Cup final in 2020 before joining Bath this season.
Prop Thomas du Toit and lock Quinn Roux come into the starting XV from Bath's win over Gloucester at the weekend, in a largely unchanged side.
England international Henry Arundell starts on the wing for Racing.
The 21-year-old's new contract extension with the French club until 2026 makes him ineligible to represent England until then.
Bath have a perfect record so far in Europe with bonus-point victories over Ulster and Cardiff, meaning a win over Racing would secure a knockout spot.
In-form scrum-half Ben Spencer continues his half-back partnership with Russell after impressing against Gloucester, and full-back Tom de Glanville retains his place alongside Joe Cokanasiga and Will Muir in the back three.
Racing lost their opening two Champions Cup games against Harlequins and Ulster, which means the trip to Bath is a must-win match as they try to keep qualification hopes alive.
The Paris outfit name a strong team which includes South Africa's double World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi and France internationals Cameron Woki and Gael Fickou, who captains the side.
Bath's final game is against Toulouse on 21 January, with Racing hosting Cardiff on 20 January.
Line-ups
Bath: De Glanville; Cokanasiga, Lawrence, Redpath, Muir; Russell, Spencer (capt); Obano, Dunn, Du Toit, Roux, Ewels, Van Velze, Reid, Barbeary.
Replacements: Annett, Schoeman, Stuart, Stooke, Bayliss, Schreuder, Harris, Cloete.
Racing: Spring; Habosi, Fickou (capt), Chavancy, Arundell; Gibert, Le Garrec; Kolingar, Chat, Laclayat, Woki, Rowlands, Lauret, Kolisi, Kamikamica.
Replacements: Tarrit, Ben Arous, Nyakane, Palu, Baudonne, Diallo, Tedder, Saili.
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)