Exeter suffered a heavy loss last weekend while Bath started well and have had good home results in recent seasons. Bath have the value in this clash.
Key Stats - Bath Strong at Home
- Bath have won 5 of their last 6 home fixtures (PREM).
- Bath have won 4 of their last 5 home matches against Exeter (PREM).
- Exeter have won 3 of their last 5 games (PREM).
Exeter Hold Lead, Bath Recent Victories
Exeter have the advantage with 26 victories to 21 against Bath, including one draw in 48 meetings.
Bath Dangerous at Home
Bath were in fine form in the first half of their PREM season opener against Harlequins last weekend, scoring four converted tries to lead 28-10 at the break.
The side from Somerset added a try to their tally in a low-scoring second half to secure a 33-17 away win over Harlequins.
The Blue, Black, and White defeated Saracens 62-15, Harlequins 48-15, Newcastle 69-12, and Leicester Tigers 24-22 before losing 27-26 to Exeter in the semi-finals in the last five games in their previous campaign in the Premiership.
Bath often get results at home, having won five of their last six home matches, and will be out to turn the tables on Exeter after falling to their opponents at the semi-final stage of the competition in their previous campaign.
Exeter Chiefs Struggled in Round 1
Exeter did not have the best start to their new PREM season last weekend, scoring two tries and a conversion to trail Gloucester 26-12 at half-time.
The home side added two tries and a conversion to their tally in the second stanza, but continued to concede points, losing 45-24 to Gloucester.
The Chiefs defeated Newcastle 38-14, and lost 34-31 to Gloucester and 41-24 to Harlequins before beating Leicester Tigers 35-26 and Bath 27-26 in the semi-finals in the final five away matches in the Premiership last season.
The Exeter Chiefs did have success against Bath towards the end of the previous campaign, but will find the going tough at their opponents' stadium, as they lost four of their last five games against their hosts.
Team News
Bath
Flanker Sam Underhill is out for months with a ruptured bicep.
Hooker Tom Dunn is available for selection, while winger Henry Arundell is a doubtful starter.
The England international missed the Harlequins match with a back complaint. “Henry was part of training today,” van Graan confirmed.
Dan du Preez, Joe Cokanasiga, Santi Carreras, Dan Frost, and Ewan Richards each crossed the try line against Harlequins last weekend.
Finn Russell slotted four conversions in the match.
Exeter Chiefs
Tommy Wyatt is back in training and available for selection, while Ross Vintcent is a doubtful starter.
Josh Iosefa-Scott, Ethan Roots, Stephen Varney, and Louie Gulley scored a try each against Gloucester last weekend.
Henry Slade landed two conversions in the match.