JON Callard has vowed that there will be no repeat of the international call-up chaos that has left Bath propping up the rest of the Zurich Premiership.

After watching his side plunge to the foot of the table the result of a derby mauling by Bristol on Sunday Callard insisted his club would never again be forced to field weakened teams while their star players are away representing national sides.

The Rec chief has watched helplessly this season as national selections have robbed him of the backbone of his side.

Mike Catt, Matt Perry, Iain Balshaw, Mike Tindall, Danny Grewcock, Mark Regan, Steve Borthwick, Kevin Maggs, Gavin Thomas and Andy Williams have all been absent at various times

And it will be the same story this weekend, with England playing South Africa and Wales tackling the Australians, while Bath face Newcastle Falcons at the Rec on Sunday.

Callard said: "We have already started planning for next year and won't be caught out again like this.''

Exactly what Bath's head coach intends to do, if and when the home nations play a round of autumn Test matches again in the 2002-03 campaign, is unclear.

Callard joked "We'll get in 15 South Africans and 14 New Zealanders''.

But, despite the light-hearted comment, bringing in non-British and Irish players may be one solution to the problem.

Bath and Callard in particular have never been keen on that route, preferring to nurture homegrown young talent.

But with Olly Barkley, Tom Voyce and Andy Lloyd also all on the fringes of their national sides, their hand may be forced.

Bath's sixth-round tie against London Irish in the National Cup will take place on Saturday, December 15.

Kick-off is at 2.15pm and ticket enquiries should go through the Bath Rugby ticket office on 01225 460588.

Martin Johnson will return to the England team as captain against South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday.

Lions skipper Johnson missed the victories over Australia and Romania after breaking his hand during Leicester's Zurich Premiership win at Northampton on October 13 but proved his fitness by making a successful comeback against Sale two days ago.