Watson set for his debut - Meehan

Watson is likely to come off the bench in Bath's match against Ospreys

Bath's new South African signing Luke Watson will make his debut for Bath in the LV= cup tie against the Ospreys at the Recreation Ground on Saturday.

The 26-year-old back-row forward has been training with the squad for the past two weeks and coach Steve Meehan is ready to put him into the fray.

"He'll certainly be part of the 23 [man squad] and will get some match time," Meehan told BBC Radio Bristol.

"He has a good feeling for the team and the club already."

Meehan continued: "He's settled in very well and has been very enthusiastic, spending a fair bit of time with the coaches getting to know how we play.

"He had a very good handle on it before arriving having watched a number of our performances already this season."

Watson brings a great deal of experience with him having earned 10 Springbok caps and played Currie Cup for Western Province and Super 14 rugby for the Stormers in South Africa.

As a former captain of his provincial side, Meehan is looking for the back rower to bring his leadership skills to an under-performing Bath side.

"He's already proved to be a good communicator on the training park and that's something he'll have to bring to the games.

"Because our players need to support our captain a little bit more. The captain needs to hear them and know that he's not out there on his own, added Meehan.

"Luke is someone who's used to captaincy and leadership and that will come naturally to him.

"Whereas with the others we're going to have to continue to enthuse them and develop that part of their game."