Bath ring the changes for Exeter rematch at The Rec

Bath have made seven changes for their first home game since Exeter won at The Rec in June's Premiership semi-final.

The announcement sets up an early-season rematch with an edge, four months on from that knockout defeat in Somerset BBC Sport. Bath have shuffled across the park. Exeter have tweaked too.

In the backs, Ciaran Donoghue starts at full-back, the last line of defence. Cameron Redpath is named at centre. Bernard van der Linde gets the nod at scrum-half, the player who moves the ball away from rucks — the contest for the ball on the ground after a tackle — and scrums, to partner fly-half Finn Russell.

Up front, Tom Dunn starts at hooker, the middle man in the front row who also throws in at the lineout. Ewan Richards and Quin Roux come into the pack. Guy Pepper steps in for injured England flanker Sam Underhill, with Underhill sidelined. Captain Charlie Ewels leads a tight five built for a physical night.

Exeter welcome back Tommy Wyatt after a minor shoulder problem. It is his first Premiership start since a serious knee injury in May 2025, a 17-month road back to regular league action. Olly Woodburn shifts to full-back, with Ben Hammersley dropping out of the squad BBC Sport.

The Chiefs arrive looking for a response. They lost 45-24 at home to Gloucester last week, a scoreline that will have stung a squad that finished last season so strongly in the West Country.

What makes this stand out is the balance both sides are trying to strike. Bath are leaning on fresh legs without losing control, with Russell still steering. For fans, this means a fast, open game if the new combinations click early.

Bath: Donoghue; Cokanasiga, Lawrence, Redpath, De Glanville; Russell, Van der Linde; Obano, Dunn, Stuart; Roux, Ewels (c), Richards, Pepper, Du Preez.

Exeter: Woodburn; Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Butt, Wyatt; Skinner, Varney; Burger, Yeandle, Iosefa-Scott, Wilson, Jenkins (capt), Roots, James, Fisilau.