The Tigers topped the regular season table and the holders and eight-time English champions welcome back England internationals Toby Flood, Louis Deacon and Jordan Crane after being turned over by Saracens in the last game at Welford Road.

Bath were thumped 43-20 on their last visit to Leicester in April and were beaten in two semi-finals by the Tigers last season but having won 11 from their last 12 matches, coach Richard Cockerill is taking nothing for granted.

He said: “Bath have put a good run together, they're a good side and it should be a cracking contest,” said the former England hooker.

“There are four very good sides in the semi-finals, which is just what you want at this stage of the competition.

“We have a good chance of winning because we beat Bath twice in really big games here last year.

"We have beaten them here recently too. We know how to win big games so why shouldn't we be confident?

"I have been lying in bed thinking and working out what I am going to do for Sunday.

"Losing to Saracens was not ideal going into a semi-final but it has focused the minds, I can assure you of that.

"The team will be busting a gut to play for the city and we want our stadium to be full and covered in red, white and green. We want the stadium to be intimidating."

Centre Shontayne Hape – who has been included in England’s 44-man squad for Australia – drops t the bench with Matt Carraro coming into partner Olly Barkley in the midfield.

The last two play-off campaigns have ended in semi-final heartache for Bath, but coach Steve Meehan is confident they can break that run this time around.

“The plan has always been to peak at this stage of the season rather than earlier,” he said.

“We have worked so hard and have been through so much that we have to make the most of the opportunity ahead of us.

“This is certainly the best period that I've ever seen from Bath in four years.

“There is a lot of belief. Physically we are in a nice place and mentally we are pretty strong.

“There's no doubt that the players are in better shape now than they were in the last two seasons at this stage.”