ANTHONY Watson will make his first start for Bath since October against Newcastle Falcons in the Aviva Premiership at Kingston Park tomorrow night (7.45pm).

The England international marked his return from injury off the bench against Exeter Chiefs on New Year’s Eve and will start at full-back.

The wings will once again be occupied by Aled Brew and Semesa Rokoduguni, the club’s leading try scorer this season.

Jonathan Joseph and Ben Tapuai will continue in midfield, with George Ford and Darren Allinson forming a new partnership at fly-half and scrum-half respectively.

In an unchanged front row for Bath’s first game of 2017, Tom Dunn will be supported either side by Max Lahiff and Nathan Catt, whose form was recently rewarded with a place in England’s 45-man EPS for the RBS 6 Nations.

Elliott Stooke and Luke Charteris make up the second row, while Tom Ellis and Francois Louw continue at blindside and openside flanker.

Zach Mercer completes the starting line-up at number eight, with the 19-year-old facing the side that he made his Aviva Premiership debut against back in September.

Hooker Jack Walker and centre Robbie Fruean could make their first team bows against the Falcons off the bench and Chris Cook makes his return to the squad after injury.

Bath: 15. Anthony Watson, 14. Semesa Rokoduguni, 13. Jonathan Joseph, 12. Ben Tapuai, 11. Aled Brew, 10. George Ford (co-captain), 9. Darren Allinson, 1. Nathan Catt, 2. Tom Dunn, 3. Max Lahiff, 4. Elliott Stooke, 5. Luke Charteris, 6. Tom Ellis, 7. Francois Louw, 8. Zach Mercer.

Replacements: 16. Jack Walker, 17. Beno Obano, 18. Shaun Knight, 19. Matt Garvey (co-captain), 20. Paul Grant, 21. Chris Cook, 22. Rhys Priestland, 23. Robbie Fruean.