BATH skipper Dan Lyle has been ruled out of the televised Powergen National Cup clash with London Irish at the Rec on Saturday (2pm).

US Eagles captain Lyle has not recovered from a damaged hamstring sustained playing for his country against South Africa two weeks ago and misses his second successive club match.

The 31-year-old back row was ruled out of the Premiership derby against Gloucester last weekend but Bath were hoping the 32-times capped ace woud return as they begin their progress in a competition they last won in 1996.

However, coach Jon Callard admitted: "Unfortunately, I don't think Dan is going to make it on Saturday.

"We have other provisions for that position and there is no point in playing someone unless he is 100 per cent."

Australian Mark Gabey filled the void left by Lyle's absence against the Cherry & Whites before being replaced by Andy Beattie.

But Welshman Nathan Thomas comes back into back three contention against Irish, having recovered from a neck injury which has kept him out of action since the 15-8 league defeat at Harlequins two months ago.

Prop Simon Emms has also completed his recovery from a calf strain but is likely to earn only a place on the bench at best.

Meanwhile, Callard is hoping the Sky cameras will not prove a distraction for his players as they try and overcome a poor record in this competition over the past five years.

Bath have struggled in their televised matches during this campaign, slumping to their worst-ever league defeat at Leicester Tigers in September and edging to an uninspiring Heineken Cup home win over Edinburgh a month later.

Callard admitted: "Usually, we don't play our best rugby in front of the TV cameras, but it's important to keep the stone moving after the Gloucester match.

"Winning gives the players confidence and we want to go further in this competition than we have in recent years."