Bath Rugby have won 12 of their last 13 regular season Premiership matches, but have not begun a season with a pair of victories since 2003/04. Bath's most recent Premiership defeat at the Rec was to today's opponents London Irish on 28 November.

Bath are chasing their 100th Premiership victory at the Rec, their record there so far is won 99, drawn 9, lost 37.
London Irish defeated Premiership runners-up Saracens at Twickenham on Saturday and have not won their first two outings of a Premiership campaign since season 2001/02. The Exiles have won just one of their last eight away games in all competitions: 23-13 at relegated Worcester on 10 April.

The Exiles have been defeated only once in their last five visits to the Rec.

Referee: Dave Pearson (144th Premiership game)