CENTURION David Barnes is determined that Sale Sharks don't ruin his 100th Bath appearance like they did his debut four and a half years ago.

Prop Barnes is back in the squad for tonight's Powergen Cup quarter-final in Stockport as Bath home in on arguably their best chance of silverware this season and a route into next season's Heineken Cup.

The ex-Harlequins man's debut in August 2000 ended in a 32-31 defeat, but he insisted: "If we can perform to our potential against a very good Sale side then we have a very good chance indeed."

Club captain Jonathan Humphreys hotly tipped for a Rec coaching role next season Matt Perry, Andy Williams, Lee Best, Andrew Higgins, Steve Borthwick, Danny Grewcock and Zak Feaunati also return to bolster Bath, who bowed out of Europe with a win in Bourgoin last weekend.

Head coach John Connolly added: "It is a competition that we do consider important.

"The Zurich Premiership remains our main focus, but the Powergen represents a chance of winning some silverware while also offering a route into Europe."

Bath: Perry, Higgins, Crockett, Barkley, Daniel, Malone, Walshe, Barnes, Humphreys (capt), Bell, Borthwick, Grewcock, Beattie, Lipman, Feaunati. Subs: Mears, Stevens, Scaysbrook, Fidler, Best, Davis, Williams.