MIKE Ford says there is a chance that new signing Tom Homer may be thrown into action straight away as Bath Rugby head to Saracens this weekend.

The versatile back arrived at Bath from London Irish on Wednesday, heading West along the M4 after Bath agreed to allow Gavin Henson to join local rivals Bristol early.

Head coach Ford says he does not want to rush 24-year-old Homer into action but added that he is available for selection for Aviva Premiership Sunday’s match against the Londoners.

“He is fit and available but it’s a case of getting him up to speed,” said Ford.

“We will have a look at him but we don’t want to put him under pressure. We’ll see where he is on Friday when we pick our team.

“He’s young, he’s hungry and he’s got great talent. He’s had a lot of success already but there’s great scope for development in him as well.”

Homer is regarded as one of the brightest young talents in English and his ability to play full-back, centre and wing will make him a valuable addition to the Bath squad.

He said: “You can clearly see the ambition, determination and drive that there is at Bath.

“There are a lot of talented players at the club and competition for starting places is fierce, but you want that as a player and I can't wait to start training with the squad.”

Bath may need to call on Homer’s services as the squad will be stretched at Allianz Park after it was confirmed that George Ford, Dave Attwood, Jonathan Joseph and Anthony Watson had all retained their places in the England side to face Italy in the RBS 6 Nations.

Winger Horacio Agulla is also out for Bath after the Argentina ace suffered an ankle injury in the LV= Cup defeat at home to Ospreys but centre Kyle Eastmond is fit to return after recovering from a shoulder problem.

Ford says these are exactly the type of tests Bath need if they are to prove they are capable of challenging for the title.

Ford added: “Saracens are a good side. They are very good at what they do.

“We want this type of challenge, we want to know how well we can do with some players missing.

“Can we go to a side that’s been up there for the last couple of years and still get a good result?

“We think we can do well like we do every week and we’ve got a lot of confidence in the squad we’ve got here.”