Rob Sidoli and Rhys Williams are injured and a late decision will be made on Wales captain Gethin Jenkins’s availability as a replacement. Both sides need a bonus-point win stay in the semi-final hunt, although they will be out if Leicester beat Sale.
The Blues have 10 players out in all through injury, with last weekend’s injuries to Sidoli and Williams the latest to set-back for the Arms Park outfit. Lock Sidoli dislocated his shoulder, while full-back Williams will have surgery on Thursday to repair his torn patellar tendon in his knee. His kneecap was not dislocated as first feared.
“To lose another two players is hugely disappointing, I think they’ll be long absences,” said Young.
Jamie Robinson, Bradley Davies, Chris Czekaj, Marc Stcherbina, Nick Macleod, Nicky Robinson, Richie Rees and James Goode are also on the Blues’ injury list. Scrum-half Rees and centre Robinson are expected to be fit for next week’s Heineken Cup match at Stade Francais.
Dafydd Hewitt has been recalled from the Wales Sevens squad to help cover the disruptions, with Tom James, Robin Sowden-Taylor and Rhys Thomas back after Wales duty.
Bath: Nick Abendanon; Joe Maddock, Tom Cheeseman, Olly Barkley, Michael Stephenson; Butch James, Michael Claassens; Matt Stevens/Laurence Ovens, Pieter Dixon, Lorne Ward, Steve Borthwick, Peter Short, Jonny Faamatuainu, Michael Lipman, Daniel Browne
Replacements: Lee Mears, Paulica Ion, James Scaysbrook, Martin Purdy, Chris Goodman, Nick Walshe, Shaun Berne
Blues: Jamie Roberts; Tal Selley, Gareth Thomas, Dafydd Hewitt, Tom James; Dai Flanagan, Jason Spice; John Yapp, T Rhys Thomas, Gary Powell, Deiniol Jones, Paul Tito, Maama Molitika, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Xavier Rush (Capt)
Replacements: Gethin Jenkins/Taufa’ao Filise, Gareth Williams, Scott Morgan, Andy Powell, Ben White, Darren Allinson, Ryan Howells
