9th September 2005
Issued on behalf of Bath Rugby

Salesi Finau will make his Bath Rugby debut against Northampton Saints in the GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP match at the Recreation Ground on Saturday (2.15pm) just two days after signing from Llanelli Scarlets.

The giant Tongan international, will start on the left wing as head coach John Connolly has been forced to make one change to his back line owing to a spate of early season injuries in the back three.

Wingers Joe Maddock (hamstring strain) and Lee Best (muscle pull), both limped out of last Sunday's match at the Memorial Stadium, and although their injuries are no way near as severe as first though, both will be unavailable for at least a fortnight. Meanwhile France international winger David Bory is not involved this weekend, but it is hoped that he will play some part in Monday's Guinness A league match against Gloucester as he makes his way back from a hernia operation.

"With the injuries that we have in the back three at the moment it was important that we brought in a player of quality and experience and Salesi Finau fits that bill exactly," said Connolly. "He has performed consistently well for Llanelli over the past seven seasons and he is looking forward to getting out there on Saturday."

Connolly has selected an unchanged pack for the first home match of the season, but says that his eight will have to step up to the plate after a below-par performance against Bristol. "There is no doubt that our forward effort was not what we would have liked it to have been and they know that they have to be much better on Saturday. However, the guys have worked extremely hard during the week, and are determined to make amends this weekend."

Despite being defeated last weekend, Connolly says that there were quite a few positives to take forward into Saturday's match against the Saints. "We were disappointed with our performance against Bristol in terms of the handling errors and poor execution," he said. "However, I thought that there were areas that we were encouraging. We actually created some great opportunities and made six line breaks. I also thought that we played some pretty good stuff in the backs."

The Saints also got off to a slow start at the weekend, but Connolly says that he is not reading too much into the 32-0 defeat to the Tigers. 2I actually thought that the Saints were a little unlucky against the Tigers," he said. "Leicester scored a couple of tries against the run of play and that turned the match. They are a very good side and like us, will be determined to show their true colours on Saturday. It will be a tough contest, that is for sure."

Gates at the Rec open at 12.15pm and there are still a handful of tickets available for this GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP encounter through the Bath Rugby Ticket Office on 0871 721 1865.

Bath Rugby v Northampton Saints
GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP
The Rec
Saturday 10th September 2005
2.15pm

15 Matt Perry
14 Salesi Finau
13 Andy Higgins
12 Olly Barkley
11 Frikkie Welsh
10 Chris Malone
9 Martyn Wood
1 David Barnes
2 Lee Mears
3 Duncan Bell
4 Steve Borthwick (capt)
5 Danny Grewcock
6 Andy Beattie
7 James Scaysbrook
8 Zak Feaunati

16 Pieter Dixon
17 Matt Stevens
18 Gareth Delve
19 Rob Fidler
20 Nick Walshe
21 Ryan Davis
22 Andy Williams

8th September 2005
Issued on behalf of Northampton Saints

Scotland wing Sean Lamont has won himself a starting place for this Saturday's GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP match against Bath Rugby following his try-scoring performance for the Wanderers on Monday night.

Lamont scored the first try for the Wanderers against Newcastle Falcons' second team in the first round of the new Guinness A League.

Director of rugby Budge Pountney said today: "Sean went extremely well for the Wanderers on Monday night. He deserves his chance. We want to make the Wanderers competitive in that if a player plays better for the Wanderers than the player who played for the Saints, they will be up for selection." 

There is just one other change to the starting line-up with Mark Soden, who also played well for the Wanderers on Monday, coming in for Academy player Alex Rae. Rae has moved to the bench to fill the vacant spot left by Selborne Boome.

Pountney said: "Alex did extremely well in the first half last week. We needed a little bit more experience but Alex will have learned a lot from the time he was on the pitch. Also, with Selborne out, we needed second row cover on the bench."

The only other change is the inclusion of British & Irish Lions hooker Steve Thompson, who may get his first chance of action this weekend following an extensive rest period.

"Steve has been in the office banging on the door saying, 'When are you going to let me play.' He did extremely well in training this week and we have been pleased with his attitude. I am sure Wally will enter the fray at some stage."

Thompson, who signed a new four-year deal with the club this week, said: "I have had a great break - I have probably had the best rest out of all of them. And, if I am honest, it will take a few matches to get the cobwebs out. I just want to enjoy my rugby because when I enjoy my rugby I play well.

"I am on the bench and looking forward to going down to Bath and getting some game time. Last weekend was frustrating for me, but that is done now. We have got to move on, but that's the thing about the Premiership, there's a new challenge every week."

Bath will be fired up for their first home game of the season after losing to West Country rivals Bristol last weekend. John Connelly's men are struggling with injuries to their wingers, a situation which has been partially alleviated by today's signing of former Llanelli Scarlets player Salesi Finau.

Pountney concluded: "Bath will be disappointed from last week when Bristol managed to get the game at the death. We have got to front up and be in their faces all day long. This is a team we respect a lot."

Northampton Saints
15 BRUCE REIHANA (capt)
14 SEAN LAMONT
13 Jon Clarke
12 Seamus Mallon
11 BEN COHEN
10 CARLOS SPENCER
9 MARK ROBINSON

1 TOM SMITH
2 Dylan Hartley
3 Brett Sturgess
4 Matt Lord
5 Damien Browne
6 Mark Soden
7 Darren Fox
8 Daniel Browne

16 STEVE THOMPSON
17 Chris Budgen
18 Alex Rae
19 Ben Lewitt
20 Johnny Howard
21 Rhodri Davies
22 John Rudd