OLLY Barkley returns to Bath's line-up as the English Premiership leaders defend a 14-point advantage over Montferrand in tomorrow's Parker Pen Challenge Cup semi-final, second leg in France (1pm).

The England international nominated for the Professional Rugby Players Association/Mercedes Benz Young Player of the Year award is one of four changes from last Sunday's disappointing league defeat at Northampton.

Club captain Danny Grewcock also starts, partnering Steve Borthwick in the second row, after recovering from a back injury sustained playing for England in the Six Nations finale against France.

That means the unlucky Rob Fidler, who has been in outstanding form recently, drops to the bench. Also in the pack, prop David Flatman (Achilles) is injured, so David Barnes steps up

And flanker Michael Lipman will also undergo a late fitness test on his hip, with James Scaysbrook ready to take his place.

On the wings, Scotland international Simon Danielli returns, shunting Wylie Human across to the right flank and Alex Crockett onto the bench.

However Mike Catt, who along with Gloucester's England prop Trevor Woodman is being linked with a move to Premiership new boys Worcester, may take that berth if he passes a late fitness test.

Head coach John Connolly said: "We've got a couple of guys injured or awaiting late tests, but that gives some of the other guys the opportunities they've been patiently waiting for.''

For Montferrand, who have to overturn a 29-15 deficit from the first leg, this is the last chance to qualify for next season's Heineken Cup after failure to do so from the French Championship.

But international scrum half Pierre Mignoni does not consider it mission impossible.

"It's simple we have to try to make up the 14 points that we let slip at Bath," he said. "We have to win this match in order to go through to the final, but it's not going to be easy.

"We made up 17 points in our home match against Newcastle Falcons but this is going to be totally different.

"We are desperate to show them what we are capable of and to get to the final. After all, if we win the Parker Pen Challenge Cup, we will be in the Heineken Cup next year. And that would save our season."

Connolly agreed, saying: "This great Parker Pen competition is their lifeline. The defeat two weeks ago will be fresh in their minds too and they won't need much motivation, but if we play as we can do then we have a good chance of making the final.''

Bath: Perry; Human, Fleck, Maggs, Danielli; Barkley, Wood; Barnes, Humphreys, Bell; Borthwick, Grewcock (capt); Beattie, Lipman/Scaysbrook, Feaunati. Subs: Blake, Mears, Stevens, Catt/Crockett, Malone, Scaysbrook/Gray, Fidler.

Montferrand (from): Soucaze, Brouzet, Soulette, Brandon, Moyle, Delpuech, Cockerill, Azam, Pearce, Privat, Martin, Vatanaki, Louw, Dieud, Vermeulen, Raynaud, Audebert, Magne, Mignoni, Moreau, Gendre, Merceron, Marsh, Chanal, Howard, Kuzbik, Rougerie, Bory, Floch.