Leeds Tykes Team News

Leeds Tykes welcome back Argentinean international Diego Albanese who has not started a game for six matches.  He appeared off the bench last week against Newcastle but will start on the left wing on Friday.  Gareth Wright has recovered from broken nose suffered last week to make his home debut whilst Rob Rawlinson and Chris Murphy come in for Mark Regan and Scott Morgan in the pack.  Alix Popham has been ruled out so England A international Dan Hyde returns to the back row with Colm Rigney reverting to number eight.

Phil Christophers, who has not played since the home defeat to London Wasps on 19th September, returns to the bench after missing the last eight games with a groin injury.

The team in full is:
15. Tim Stimpson
14. David Rees
13. Chris Bell
12. Andre Snyman
11. Diego Albanese
10. Gareth Wright
9. Alan Dickens

1. Mike Shelley
2. Rob Rawlinson
3. Rayno Gerber
4. Chris Murphy
5. Tom Palmer (c)
6. Jon Dunbar
7. Dan Hyde
8. Colm Rigney

16. Michael Cusack
17. Matt Holt
18. Scott Morgan
19. Pierre Uys
20. Mark McMillan
21. Tom Biggs
22. Phil Christophers

Bath Team News
John Connolly faces an anxious wait to see whether Matt Stevens comes through a late fitness test and is able to take his place on the bench for tomorrow evening’s Zurich Premiership match against Leeds Tykes at Headingley (7.45pm).

The England prop has missed the last two Zurich Premiership games with a tricep problem, but has participated in some light training this week. If Matt does not make it through then John Beart will cover on the bench. With  Academy prop Laurence Ovens recovering from Mumps and Chris Loader suffering  an ankle injury last weekend, the young Chippenham and Army prop is once  again on stand by.

Connolly is still without Mike Tindall, Danny Grewcock and Steve Borthwick  who all line up for England against South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday.  David Flatman (Achilles), Robbie Fleck, Andy Beattie (both calf), Andrew  Higgins (jaw), Lee Best (groin), Gareth Delve (foot), Christian Loader (ankle) and Kieron Lewitt (back) are all unavailable through injury.

However, Martyn Wood is expected to take his place on the bench after recovering from a hamstring pull sustained last week. Mike Baxter, who made his debut during last Saturday’s victory over Sale Sharks, will travel with the team as scrum half cover.

“This is a very difficult part of the season for a lot of clubs,” said Connolly. “Autumn internationals and injuries have left us really stretched this week for what is going to be a really tough match up at Leeds. They are a very direct side and are playing some good rugby at the moment. The likes of Snyman and Bell in the centres are very strong, whilst they also have a very powerful pack. We will need to gain at least parity in this area if we are to stand a chance tomorrow.”

15. Matt Perry
14. Frikkie Welsh
13. Alex Crockett
12. Olly Barkley
11. Brendon Daniel
10. Chris Malone
9. Nick Walshe
1. David Barnes
2. Jonathan Humphreys (capt)
3. Duncan Bell
4. James Hudson
5. Rob Fidler
6. James Scaysbrook
7. Michael Lipman
8. Isaac Feaunati

Replacements

16. Lee Mears
17. Matt Stevens/ John Beart
18. Dan Smith
19. Garaint Lewis
20. Spencer Davey
21. Martyn Wood
22. Joe Maddock