Bath have turned to Santi Carreras at fly-half for Saturday’s home clash with Leicester Tigers after Finn Russell was ruled out again with a tight calf. Johann van Graan has asked Carreras to lead the attack in a match that could help decide second place in the Gallagher PREM.

The move keeps Bath’s playmaking options flexible, but it is still a clear change for a side that has leaned heavily on Russell when available. Carreras has already shown he can handle the job: he has a 100% record in Bath’s No.10 jersey after wins away to Newcastle in December and Sale Sharks in March.

Those results do not tell the whole story, though. In those two starts, Carreras landed eight of his 13 shots at goal, a return of 61.5%, and Bath will know Leicester are likely to test every part of that replacement plan. The club have also opted against putting Ciaran Donoghue at fly-half, even though he is only two games into his comeback from the serious knee injury he suffered against Munster in pre-season.

Instead, Bath have kept another route open from the bench. Max Ojomoh, who has impressed at inside-centre when asked to cover at No.10, is not among the replacements, while Cameron Redpath offers further cover at fly-half after being named among the eight substitutes. That gives Bath a little more insurance if Carreras is forced deeper into the contest at the Recreation Ground, but it also removes one of the club’s more natural midfield options from the bench.

Van Graan has kept the rest of the pack unchanged from last week’s win over Bristol Bears. Beno Obano, Kepueli Tuipulotu and Thomas du Toit form the front row, with Ted Hill and Charlie Ewels behind them. Josh Bayliss joins Sam Underhill on the flanks and Alfie Barbeary starts at No.8, while Ben Spencer captains the side at half-back. Ollie Lawrence partners Ojomoh in midfield, Henry Arundell and Joe Cokanasiga are on the wings and Tom de Glanville starts at full-back.

Bath also continue to deal with a bigger squad issue beyond Saturday’s selection. The club have confirmed the departure of 10 players at the end of the season, six of them from the senior squad, which adds another layer of uncertainty as they try to close out the campaign. For now, though, the question is simpler: whether Carreras can turn a perfect record at No.10 into a performance strong enough to keep Bath on course against Leicester when Russell remains out.