European Challenge Cup/Bath v Connacht: Win or bust. The level of recognition Connacht hope to attain this season rides almost exclusively on victory at the Recreation Ground this afternoon. Defeat to Harlequins, albeit by the slimmest of margins, saw to that.

Going into this game without experienced campaigners Matt Mostyn and especially Mark McHugh means Michael Bradley has been forced to re-jig a formula that has served him well on European escapades.

Keith Matthews coming in on the wing more than compensates for Mostyn's injury-enforced absence but McHugh's kicking and general presence is a substantial loss. John Hearty is a proven asset at outside centre but it is up to Gavin Williams at 12 and Paul Warwick at stand-off to unlock the Bath defence.

Tom Tierney gets the nod ahead of Chris Keane at scrumhalf, while hooker and captain John Fogarty returns from injury at the expense of Adrian Flavin.

Bath had a decent win over Montpellier last weekend but their league form has been poor and they are hardly full to the brim with star names. Leinster proved in recent seasons that the Rec is no longer an intimidating place to travel to and win.

Former Lion Matt Perry and French winger David Bory return to the back three but England's preparations for New Zealand's opening tour match at Twickenham on Sunday week sees Danny Grewcock and hooker Lee Mears held in reserve. Rob Fidler and Rob Hawkins will attempt to fill these sizeable voids.

Regardless, it's going to take a massive performance from the Connacht eight.

At least players like Colm Rigney and former Irish under-21 captain David Gannon are proven competitors when the standard increases.

Alas, Connacht need their hosts to assist with a poor display. Unlikely.

BATH: M Perry; T Cheeseman, S Berne, E Fuimaono, D Bory; C Malone, N Walshe; D Barnes, R Hawkins, D Flatman; P Short, R Fidler; A Beattie (capt), J Scaysbrook, I Feaunati. Replacements: L Mears, L Ovens, C Goodman, D Grewcock, M Stephenson, J Maddock, A Williams.

CONNACHT RUGBY: D Riordan; K Mathews, J Hearty, G Williams, D Yapp; P Warwick, T Tierney; R Hogan, J Fogarty (capt), B Sturgess; D Gannon, A Farley; J Muldoon, R Ofisa, C Rigney. Replacements: A Flavin, B Wilkinson, M Swift, B O'Connor, C Keane, C McPhillips, T Robinson.

Referee: D Rosich (France).

Verdict: Bath to win.