Forwards coach, Martin Haag, believes that after a good pre-season, the team are determined to kick off the new season with a win.

"Obviously a lot of hard work and training has gone into the pre-season, but now we get down to the nitty gritty and the business of why we are here - to play rugby and compete as hard as we can for the points on offer.
"The club is really going forward, both on and off the field, especially with the developments at Farleigh. We had a good pre-season camp to Aix in France, which went very well, and a couple of good pre-season games, so all in all its been very, very good and we are ready to get on with the season.

"We know if we get our game right, we can compete with anyone. Leeds is a tough place to go and they are building on what they did last year, so they will obviously try and open up with a win at home, but we are going there with great spirits and it is a good opportunity for us to do the things we are capable of doing and make sure we get our game right."

Luke Watson will be leading the team out as club captain for the first time in the Aviva Premiership.

New signings Simon Taylor, Lewis Moody and Sam Vesty make their first competitive starts for Bath, with fellow new boys Tom Biggs and Mark McMillan providing cover from the bench.

Bath Rugby team to face Leeds Carnegie.
15. Nick Abendanon
14. Matt Carraro
13. Shontayne Hape
12. Olly Barkley
11. Matt Banahan
10. Sam Vesty
9. Michael Claassens

1. David Flatman
2. Lee Mears
3. David Wilson
4. Stuart Hooper
5. Danny Grewcock
6. Simon Taylor
7. Lewis Moody
8. Luke Watson (c)

Replacements
16. Pieter Dixon
17. Nathan Catt
18. Duncan Bell
19. Ben Skirving
20. Andy Beattie
21. Mark McMillan
22. Tom Biggs
23. Jack Cuthbert