LUKE Charteris and Zach Mercer will make their competitive debuts for Bath tomorrow when they host Newcastle Falcons at The Rec in Round Two of the Aviva Premiership (kick-off 3pm).

Charteris and Mercer feature in a pack that sees five changes – four personnel and one positional. Welsh international Charteris links up with Dave Attwood in the second row for his first appearance in the Blue, Black and White, with Mercer lining up alongside Charlie Ewels, who moves to the blindside flank, and David Sisi, who makes his first start of the season on the openside.

In the front row, Ross Batty continues at hooker, flanked by Nick Auterac on the loosehead side and Kane Palma-Newport at tighthead, who is also making his first start of the term.

The back-line is unchanged, with Kahn Fotuali’i and George Ford, who captains the side, pulling the strings in the half-back positions.

Matt Banahan and Semesa Rokoduguni maintain their guard on the wings, as Max Clark and Jonathan Joseph partner up in the midfield. Tom Homer provides the threat from full-back.

Bath director of rugby Todd Blackadder said: “We’re really excited about running out at The Rec tomorrow – us new guys have been told about what a great atmosphere it is, and we really can’t wait to experience it ourselves.

“We’ve got a few knocks in the squad, but it’s such a great opportunity for the young guys to step up and show us what they can do.

"It’s a good test of the depth of the squad, and we’re really looking forward to the likes of Zach Mercer, who is making his senior debut for the club, getting out there and giving it his all.”

Bath Rugby team to face Newcastle Falcons: 15 Tom Homer, 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Max Clark, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 George Ford (c), 9 Kahn Fotuali’i, 1 Nick Auterac, 2 Ross Batty, 3 Kane Palma-Newport, 4 Luke Charteris, 5 Dave Attwood, 6 Charlie Ewels, 7 David Sisi, 8 Zach Mercer. Replacements: 16 Tom Dunn, 17 Beno Obano, 18 Max Lahiff, 19 Elliott Stooke, 20 Levi Douglas, 21 Chris Cook, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Jeff Williams.