ENGLAND centre Jonathan Joseph will return to the Bath starting line-up for the Aviva Premiership clash with West Country rivals Bristol at Ashton Gate on Sunday.

Joseph returns to domestic action having been left out  of the England squad to face Italy in the Six Nations this weekend and takes his place in the Bath midfield alongside Ben Tapuai, who makes his comeback after missing last weekend’s 22-12 win against Harlequins.

Semesa Rokoduguni, who is the top try scorer for Bath in the competition with nine, lines up on the right wing, with Harry Davies on the left and Tom Homer making his 50th appearance for the club at full-back.

Following a 17-point haul against Quins, co-captain Rhys Priestland will aim to continue his recent run of form at fly-half alongside Chris Cook, who comes into the side to complete the half-back combination.

Prop Beno Obano will make his starting debut in the Aviva Premiership with hooker Ross Batty and Max Lahiff completing a physically imposing front row. Elliott Stooke and Charlie Ewels are the second row pairing for the club’s fourth meeting of the season against their local rivals.

Tom Ellis, David Denton and Paul Grant will be looking to make an impact from the back row, with Bath targeting a third successive win in the competition.

Bath team to face Bristol: 15 Tom Homer, 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Harry Davies, 10 Rhys Priestland (co-capt), 9 Chris Cook, 1 Beno Obano, 2 Ross Batty, 3 Max Lahiff, 4 Elliott Stooke, 5 Charlie Ewels (co-capt), 6 Tom Ellis, 7 David Denton, 8 Paul Grant. Replacements: 16 Michael van Vuuren, 17 Darryl Marfo, 18 Kane Palma-Newport, 19 Levi Douglas, 20 Guy Mercer, 21 Will Homer, 22 Adam Hastings, 23 Max Clark.