Rugby Union: Bath leave out Ojomoh

AFTER a year in which he established himself as an exceptional England forward, Steve Ojomoh's patience is being tested by Bath's decision to leave him out for the second Saturday running, writes Steve Bale.

This is not what Ojomoh envisaged when he received assurances about selection from Brian Ashton, the new Bath coach. Having missed the game against the Barbarians, he now finds the same all-international back row - Hall, Clarke and Robinson - retained for Saturday's First Division opener against Bristol.

Along with Ojomoh, Jon Sleightholme and Simon Geoghegan, Bath's wing recruits, also face Bristol United.

David Pears, the England international full-back, is out for three months with a groin injury. Quins, depleted at full-back, have persuaded Kent Bray to terminate his retirement almost before it had begun.

Jeremy Guscott is giving himself six weeks before he makes his return - almost exactly a year since the Bath and England centre's pelvic condition put him out of the game.