Taulupe Faletau injury stretches Bath's back-row reserves but Sam Underhill's concussion the real concern

Bath’s back-row resources will be sorely tested on Saturday as they look to gain revenge for last weekend’s agonising defeat to three-time European Champions Cup winners Toulon.

Director of rugby Todd Blackadder learned this week he will once again be without his British & Irish Lions star Taulupe Faletau for a significant chunk of the season after it emerged the No8 ruptured the same medial ligaments he damaged last season in Bath’s 24-20 defeat at the Stade Felix Mayol.

Faletau’s latest absence - caused as a direct result of a reckless clear-out by Toulon centre Mathieu Bastareaud which tournament organisers European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) did not deem worthy of punishment - is a bitter blow to a club desperate to start delivering tangible results on the back of massive investment in the seven years since billionaire fan Bruce Craig took ownership.

Having released Faletau for all four of Wales autumn internationals and potentially incurring a significant fine as a result, Bath had hoped to have their most prized forward asset available throughout a busy Christmas period which also sees them face Wasps and Sale in the Aviva Premiership.

“A grade three tear is the most serious one a player can have,” said Blackadder this week.

“I was pretty excited at having Toby back after four big games for Wales in the autumn and to lose him is a blow.

“It was just one of those things. A guy, sort of off the ball, dives sideways through his knee."

But while Faletau’s injury gained plenty of attention and has a clearly definable time-frame on the return, things are less clear for exciting young England flanker Sam Underhill.

The 21-year-old, who was knocked out against Northampton in September after making 23 tackles in the match, suffered another concussion playing for England against Australia in November and has not played since.

Underhill has still not passed strict return to play protocols and is understood to be suffering continued symptoms which are restricting his training. With two concussions in such a short space of time already this season, there is mounting concern for a young player whose game is built around his tackling game and relentless work-rate.

“Things are not good there at the moment,” said Blackadder when asked about Underhill’s progress.

In the absence of his prized international back-row duo Blackadder last night named fit-again former Springbok Francois Louw at openside flanker alongside former Otago No8 Paul Grant for an eagerly anticipated game at the Rec which could still see the home team move top of Pool five after opening wins over Scarlets and Benetton.

Club stalwart Matt Garvey completes Bath’s back row trio as they look to nullify the potent threat of Toulon’s trio of Juan Fernandez Lobbe, Facundo Isa and Duane Vermeulen.