Sam Burgess will make his first start for Bath Rugby tomorrow after being confirmed in the XV to face Montpellier at The Rec (7.45pm).

South African flanker Francois Louw will make his first appearance of the season in the must-win European Rugby Champions Cup clash.

Louw has been out of action since being injured on international duty in September and lines-up alongside Leroy Houston and Alafoti Fa’osiliva in the back row.

Three returning internationals come into the pack, with Dave Attwood joining Dominic Day in the second row, while David Wilson and Paul James scrum down either side of hooker Ross Batty. James will captain the side.

Burgess takes his place in the centres alongside Jonathan Joseph, with Semesa Rokoduguni and Matt Banahan providing the threats out wide.

Anthony Watson continues at full-back, while George Ford and Chris Cook pull the strings from the half-back positions.

Bath Rugby: 15 Anthony Watson, 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Sam Burgess, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 George Ford, 9 Chris Cook, 1 Paul James (capt), 2 Ross Batty, 3 David Wilson, 4 Dominic Day, 5 Dave Attwood, 6 Alafoti Fa’osiliva, 7 Francois Louw, 8 Leroy Houston. Replacements: 16 Rob Webber, 17 Nick Auterac, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Stuart Hooper, 20 David Sisi, 21 Micky Young, 22 Ollie Devoto, 23 Horacio Agulla.