MIKE Tindall is ready to defy medical advice to help keep Bath in the Zurich Premiership.

Centre Tindall returned from England duty against Wales at the weekend with sore ribs and has been advised to sit out this weekend's must-win league clash at home to Northampton Saints at the Recreation Ground.

But with Matt Perry, Kevin Maggs, Mike Catt, Gareth Cooper and Andy Williams all sidelined through injury, Tindall is likely to play through the pain barrier.

Hooker Andy Long is also back in training after missing the heavy defeat at Saracens 11 days ago.

Meanwhile, Bath have taken themselves away in the build-up to the Saints clash and started a three-day team bonding exercise in Bristol yesterday.

The squad will hone their pre-match build-up at the Redwood Lodge Country Club and train just yards from local rivals Bristol, who are using the same facility.