GUY Mercer will captain the Bath senior side for the first time tomorrow as they take on Calvisano in the Amlin Challenge Cup at the Recreation Ground, (2.15pm).

Mercer, who has captained the Bath United side in the Aviva A League for the majority of the season, lines up in the back row alongside fellow Academy graduate Josh Ovens and debutant Nick Koster.

Ryan Caldwell makes his first start of the season, linking up with Dominic Day in the second row.

David Wilson returns from international duty to the tighthead shirt, with Brett Sharman and Charlie Beech completing the pack.

Tom Heathcote comes in at fly-half, re-forming his half-back partnership with Mark McMillan who starts at scrum-half.

Kyle Eastmond retains his position on the right wing, with Olly Woodburn replacing Tom Biggs on the left.

Sam Vesty comes into the inside centre birth to form a new centre partnership with Horacio Agulla, and Jack Cuthbert is named at full-back.

Bath: 15. Jack Cuthbert, 14. Kyle Eastmond, 13. Horacio Agulla, 12. Sam Vesty, 11. Olly Woodburn, 10. Tom Heathcote, 9. Mark McMillan, 1. Charlie Beech, 2. Brett Sharman, 3. David Wilson, 4. Dominic Day, 5. Ryan Caldwell, 6. Josh Ovens, 7. Guy Mercer (capt), 8. Nick Koster.

Replacements: 16. Tom Dunn, 17. Anthony Perenise, 18. Kane Palma-Newport, 19. Will Spencer, 20. Will Skuse, 21. Chris Cook, 22. Ollie Devoto, 23. Ben Williams.

PREVIEWS OF TOMORROW'S MATCH AGAINST CALVISANO, PLUS REPORT & REACTION FROM THE MATCH AT WILTSHIRETIMES.CO.UK/SPORT AND IN NEXT WEEK'S WILTSHIRE TIMES