BATH have failed in a bid to have their Zurich Premiership home clash with NEC Harlequins tomorrow postponed.

With five players away on England duty and a packed treatment room, Bath had hoped for a reprieve from the fixture against the relegation-haunted Londoners.

But that appeal was rejected and John Connolly's men must soldier on

Christian Loader and South African Heinrich Kok look set to step into the prop positions, whil second row James Hudson will return in the second row.

Connolly meanwhile, admits Bath chances of reaching the end-of-season Premiership play-offs are receding.

He said: "At the moment we are 10 points away from third.

"It is a big ask to catch up, we need the teams above us to start losing games."

Gloucester travel to Newcastle on Sunday.