Steve Meehan is backing the experience of Butch James to get the edge over Danny Cipriani when the fly-half stars go head-to-head at the Recreation Ground tonight.

World Cup winner James will return to the Bath starting line-up for their Guinness Premiership clash with Wasps, having been rested for Friday's 23-16 defeat at Sale.

And head coach Meehan sees no reason why rising star Cipriani, 21, will get the better of his 30-year-old opponent.

"What sort of form Cipriani is in might depend on his mindset coming into the game – I don't know where he's at and I'm not that concerned," said Meehan.

"Frankly, I'm more concerned about Butch coming into the game physically and mentally fresh after having the weekend off. He has looked terrific in training and is certainly motivated for the match and determined to do well.

"If you want to put a spotlight on the game and on those two, it will be an interesting comparison.

"But I don't think there's any 10 so far this season who has taught Butch a thing or two about playing there, so a young fly-half would certainly have to play well to be the first to do that."

A bonus-point win tonight would send Bath one point clear at the top of the Premiership with three matches to play – but defeat, coupled with Harlequins beating Worcester, could leave Meehan's men languishing in fifth place.

Six teams are still in with a genuine chance of being crowned English champions.

Meehan has never known it so tight and said: "Six teams can still win it and it's a tremendous competition – but we shouldn't be surprised that it comes down to the last few weeks, or potentially even the last week.

"Given the standards and the squads clubs have developed, we shouldn't be surprised at all. But now is the time to start hitting your form, there's no doubt.

"And if you miss one, perhaps you are relying on others to do you a favour, and you don't want to be in that situation."