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Captain Guy Mercer starts for Bath Rugby in Challenge Cup

Bath have named captain Guy Mercer, who has been sidelined throughout this season with a foot injury, in their starting line-up for their European Challenge Cup trip at Pau, France.

Luke Charteris and Rhys Priestland will also feature from the start for the Blue, Black and White.

Charteris will partner Elliott Stooke in the second row, Tom Dunn will be at hooker while Kane Palma-Newport and Nick Auterac are deployed either side.

Director of Rugby Todd Blackadder said: "We are really excited about the next couple of European games we have coming up - it is a different competition, and that gives us a chance to have a fresh look at things.

"We have not made too many changes but it is a fantastic opportunity for the guys who have not had as much game time as some to step up and start for us.

"It is great to have the likes of Guy Mercer, Luke Charteris and Rhys Priestland back. All three are experienced players who will give us a new energy going into the game."

Bath team vs Pau in full:

15. Tom Homer

14. Semesa Rokoduguni

13. Jonathan Joseph

12. Matt Banahan

11. Aled Brew

10. Rhys Priestland

9. Kahn Foutali'i

1. Nick Auterac

2. Tom Dunn

3. Kane Palma-Newport

4. Luke Charteris