Whilst most eyes this weekend will be focused on England's attempt to make it two from two in the RBS Six Nations, the Guinness Premiership resumes as Bath Rugby head to Vicarage Road in search of a second consecutive victory of their own.
After a weekend off, the Bath boys (minus the international contingent) regrouped for training today ahead of Sunday's big match. Last time out Brian Ashton's side produced a stirring performance to see off reigning Premiership champions London Wasps at the Rec, but changes to the squad will be required owing to the fact that at least five players will be unavailable through international duty.
"The preparation for this weekend is not going to be disrupted," said Ashton to www.bathrugby.com "Obviously we would like those five players available for selection, but they are not and we knew that we would be missing players during this period when the season started."
The autumn proved to be a difficult period for Bath Rugby with injuries and international call ups taking their toll, but Ashton believes that the squad are in a much better position now and that the players involved back then will be determined to make their mark.
"We have been through this scenario before during the autumn internationals and hopefully the players who stepped in then will have learned from their experiences. We have got a bit more cover now than we did in the autumn so their job is to step up to the mark and play like the guys who are not going to be there. These players know that if they stand up to the mark and play really well then there is no reason why they can't play in the following game despite the fact that the international players might be available."
Bath are waiting on the fitness of flanker Michael Lipman this week. Lipman was forced to withdraw from the England A squad due to a back injury, but at this stage it is believed that the Australian-born openside will be fit to face Saracens.
Meanwhile, scrum half Andy Williams has been called into the Wales squad following an injury to Gareth Cooper. The former Bath scrum half was forced from the field of play with what appeared to be a shoulder of arm injury. Cardiff's Mike Phillips is favourite to provide back up to Dwayne Peel in the Wales squad, but Williams could well be asked to train with the national side this week.
Should Williams be retained then the newly wed Kiwi Billy Fulton will be chomping at the bit to be involved the match day squad. "Billy has just got married," explained Ashton. "He arrived back from New Zealand this morning and will be full of the joys of spring with a brand new life in front of him and hopefully if he is called upon he will be in tip top form."