Overview
- Bath, which named its team Friday, will start Ben Spencer at scrum-half after he recovered from a shoulder issue that had left his status in doubt.
- Bernard van der Linde remains out after ankle surgery, Tom Carr-Smith provides cover on the bench, and 18-year-old Isaac Mears stays on standby rather than in the matchday 23.
- Injuries rule out backs Max Ojomoh and Joe Cokanasiga, so Ollie Lawrence partners Louie Hennessey in midfield with Henry Arundell on the wing and Santi Carreras at full-back.
- Bordeaux lose loose-head Jefferson Poirot to suspension and coach Yannick Bru to a touchline ban, with Bath starting Thomas du Toit at tight-head against young prop Matis Perchaud.
- The tie is Bath's first Champions Cup semi-final in 20 years, with a place in the Bilbao final on May 23 at stake.