Redpath: Four defeats from four games so far this season

Sale are reeling from four successive defeats - their worst start to a Premiership season - and they have collected just a solitary losing bonus point in the process.

To compound matters, they are without injured internationals Dwayne Peel and Richie Gray this weekend, and Bath have an added incentive of wanting to give the departing Olly Barkley a winning send-off before he joins French club Racing Metro.

Sale rugby director Bryan Redpath has made six changes from the side beaten at home by Premiership newcomers London Welsh last time out, including Danny Cipriani being relegated to bench duty.

It will also be Sale's first game since they parted company with forwards coach Steve Scott last weekend.

"There are opportunities for some of the younger boys in the club," Redpath said.

"It has been tough after last Friday's match and what followed at the weekend. We are desperate to get another game under our belt because some of the parts of last week's match were not what we expected."

Redpath hands a start to young flanker James Doyle, while scrum-half prospect Nathan Fowles is among the replacements, with Nick Macleod and Cillian Willis forging a new half-back combination.

"Last season, Sale went to Bath on the back of a disappointing home performance and won, later going on to complete a season's double," Redpath added.

"As I've said, last week was unacceptable, and hopefully we can show a big improvement."

Barkley, whose surprise move to Paris was announced earlier this month, intends doing everything he can to bow out as a winner.

"I've had an amazing time here. I have some fantastic memories and played in some amazing teams. I leave with nothing but absolute love for this place and these people," he said.

"The task for me now is really to just concentrate on the game. It's a big occasion for me and for my family, but the most important thing is getting four points.

"We need to get back on the horse after losing the last two games, and have been working very hard to right the wrongs.

"It is not about me leaving, it's about the four points. If I can say goodbye having helped the team to a win then I will be happy."

Leicester, beaten at Welford Road by Premiership champions Harlequins last Saturday, are back on home soil on Saturday when they tackle Exeter.

"We've all been very honest about the performance against Harlequins last week, and the only way we know how to correct that has been to work hard in training and to front-up again on Saturday," Tigers rugby director Richard Cockerill said.

"Exeter had an excellent win last week (against Saracens), and they are a team to be respected. They are tough opponents.

"We have played some decent rugby in the season so far and we've been resilient in defence, but we need to be more accurate and composed on the ball."

Anthony Allen and Steve Mafi have now joined a lengthy Leicester injury list that also includes Manu Tuilagi, Geordan Murphy, Louis Deacon and Tom Croft, and Exeter will travel north buoyed by the knowledge of last season's double achieved against their hosts.

Exeter head coach Rob Baxter said: "It is going to be a fantastic test of our attitude and our commitment to play, but that is what the Premiership is all about.

"We do enjoy going to Leicester because it is a fantastic place to play rugby, with a fantastic crowd in a fantastic sporting arena, and playing against a team who have been one of the best sides in Europe for a long time.

"If you don't want to play in a game that could bring the best out of you, you shouldn't really be involved in this."

Quins are in action against Saracens on Sunday after making a stunning start to their title defence by dropping just one point from a possible 20, when London Welsh will target a third successive Premiership victory, this at the expense of Kassam Stadium visitors Gloucester.