GUY Mercer will make his first start for Bath since October in the LV= Cup semi final against Exeter Chiefs on Sunday (1pm).

Mercer is joined in the back-row by the returning Matt Garvey on the blindside and Leroy Houston at number eight.

Ryan Caldwell joins captain Stuart Hooper in the second row, with Eusebio Guinazu flanked at hooker by Nathan Catt and Argentina teammate Juan Pablo Orlandi.

In the half-backs, Martin Roberts and Tom Heathcote resume their partnership, with Horacio Agulla and Semesa Rokoduguni named out wide on the wings.

Ollie Devoto, nominated for this year’s LV= Breakthrough Player award, combines with Gavin Henson in the midfield, while Nick Abendanon completes the line-up from full-back.

Tickets are still available from the Bath ticket office on 0844 448 1865 or online at bathrugby.com/tickets.

Bath: 15. Nick Abendanon, 14. Semesa Rokoduguni, 13. Ollie Devoto, 12. Gavin Henson, 11. Horacio Agulla, 10. Tom Heathcote, 9. Martin Roberts, 1. Nathan Catt, 2. Eusebio Guinazu, 3. Juan Pablo Orlandi, 4. Stuart Hooper (captain), 5. Ryan Caldwell, 6. Matt Garvey, 7. Guy Mercer, 8. Leroy Houston.

Replacements: 16. Ross Batty, 17. Anthony Perenise, 18. Kane Palma-Newport, 19. Mat Gilbert, 20. Francois Louw, 21. Peter Stringer, 22. Ben Williams, 23. Matt Banahan.

NEWS FROM BATH'S SEMI FINAL AGAINST EXETER AT WILTSHIRETIMES.CO.UK/SPORT ON SUNDAY