SOUTH Africa start Francois Louw returns to the Bath side for the first time this season and will captain the side in tomorrow night's Amlin Challenge Cup opener against Bordeaux-Bègles at Stade Chaban-Delmas (8pm British time).

Openside flanker Louw returns after appearing for his country in the Rugby Championship - the Springboks losing the decider to New Zealand last weekend - and leads a side showing six changes from the Aviva Premiership defeat at Sale Sharks last Friday.

Injuries mean summer signing Matt Garvey moves up from blindside to second row, partnering Will Spencer. Alafoti Fa'osiliva fills the blindside flanker spot, while number eight Carl Fearns also makes his first start for the first team this season.

Scrum-half Martin Roberts and fly-half George Ford are included, with Ben Williams and Jonathan Joseph combining in midfield for the first time this season.

The back three features Wales and British Lions star Gavin Henson and wings Semesa Rokoduguni and rugby league-bound Tom Biggs.

Second row Ryan Caldwell returns from long-term injury among the replacements and joins returning Argentina stars Eusebio Guinazu (hooker) and Juan Pablo Orlandi (prop) after their exploits in the Rugby Championship.

Loosehead Paul James and back row Will Skuse are also on the bench, alongside scrum-half Peter Stringer, England U20 Junior World Championship-winning full-back Ollie Devoto and Scotland international fly-half Tom Heathcote.

Bath: 15 Gavin Henson, 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Ben Williams, 11 Tom Biggs, 10 George Ford, 9 Martin Roberts, 8 Carl Fearns, 7 Francois Louw (capt), 6 Alafoti Fa'osiliva, 5 Will Spencer, 4 Matt Garvey, 3 David Wilson, 2 Ross Batty, 1 Anthony Perenise.

Replacements: 16 Eusebio Guinazu, 17 Paul James, 18 Juan Pablo Orlandi, 19 Ryan Caldwell, 20 Will Skuse, 21 Peter Stringer, 22 Ollie Devoto, 23 Tom Heathcote.

NEWS FROM BATH'S CLASH TOMORROW NIGHT AT WILTSHIRETIMES.CO.UK/SPORT AND IN NEXT WEEK'S WILTSHIRE TIMES AND READ THE THOUGHTS OF HOOKER ROSS BATTY AND DIRECTOR OF RUGBY GARY GOLD IN TODAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES