Bath Rugby have received a major boost ahead of their Champions Cup semi-final showdown against holders Bordeaux-Begles, with first-choice scrum-half Ben Spencer declared fit to start after recovering from a shoulder injury.
The English champions travel to France on Sunday for what promises to be a blockbuster clash, and Spencer's return is a significant lift for the squad. The 32-year-old hasn't featured since Bath's quarter-final victory over Northampton on 10 April, but he's now ready to renew his battle with Bordeaux captain and France international Maxime Lucu in what should be a compelling duel at half-back.
However, it's not all good news on the injury front for Johann van Graan's side. Centre Max Ojomoh and wing Joe Cokanasiga have both been ruled out after failing to recover from knee and leg knocks respectively – injuries that van Graan had described as "touch and go" earlier in the week. With Cameron Redpath also sidelined, Bath have been forced into a reshuffle in midfield, with Louie Hennessey moving to outside centre and Ollie Lawrence shifting inside to 12.
In the back three, Will Muir retains his place on the wing, while Henry Arundell switches to the less-familiar right wing. Arundell will face a tough assignment marking the electric Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who has been in sensational form this season with 28 tries in 26 appearances for club and country – including a four-try haul against England in the Six Nations finale.
Bordeaux's attacking threats don't end there. Damien Penaud, France's all-time leading try-scorer, continues in an outside centre role he's reprised in recent weeks, while the fly-half battle between Matthieu Jalibert and Finn Russell promises to be a masterclass in playmaking.
Up front, Bath will look to exploit a potential weakness in the Bordeaux front row. With first-choice loose-head Jefferson Poirot suspended, South Africa international Thomas du Toit will target the less-experienced Matis Perchaud in what could be a decisive area of the contest.
With both sides boasting firepower across the pitch, this semi-final has all the ingredients for a classic European encounter.