Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock makes a total of 13 changes to the line-up that faced Scarlets in the LV= Cup last weekend as he recalls those who were rested for the trip to Wales.

Samoan centre Dale Rasmussen will make his first league start of the season while Chris Latham, Sam Tuitupou and Miles Benjamin return in the backs.

Prop Tevita Taumoepeau is declared fit to take his spot in the pack after recovering from a back injury.

"We're looking forward to the game," said Ruddock. "We rested up a few guys for this fixture and we expect them to go in with plenty of energy and plenty of edge.

"It was in our best interests to freshen players up, use the six-day turnaround to properly prepare a team without the distraction of injuries.

"We want to go into Friday confident and fully firing. That has what has happened this week, preparations have been good and Pat Sanderson has told me this is the most fresh he has felt for quite a while.

"That is good to hear and now we must try and translate that onto the park to get a positive result."

Ruddock believes the battle of the breakdown will, once again, prove crucial to the outcome of the game this week.

"I am a big fan of Bath because they play some top rugby," he said.

"They probably won't want a set piece game with us, I think they will want to play with width and tempo, play an off loading game. It will be a tough task to bottle them up and keep them confined.

"The breakdown will once again be very important. They want quick ball so we have got to try and turn them over and force some mistakes in deep areas.

"We want to play some open and attractive rugby and test them, look for the space rather than the man.

"But when they have the ball we are aware of their pace and ability to move the ball quickly through hands, we need to try and pressure them and tackle effectively."

Tickets remain on sale NOW for the Guinness Premiership clash with Bath Rugby at Sixways Stadium. Call the Warriors Box Office on 01905 454183 or visit the online Tickets section at www.warriors.co.uk

Warriors vs Bath Rugby

15 Chris Latham
14 Marcel Garvey
13 Dale Rasmussen
12 Sam Tuitupou
11 Miles Benjamin
10 Willie Walker
9 Ryan Powell

1 Callum Black
2 Aleki Lutui
3 Tevita Taumoepeau
4 Greg Rawlinson
5 Craig Gillies
6 Tom Wood
7 Pat Sanderson (c)
8 Kai Horstmann

Replacements
16 Adam Black
17 Chris Fortey
18 Olivier Sourgens
19 Graham Kitchener
20 Jake Abbott
21 Jonny Arr
22 Calum MacRae
23 Rico Gear