Shontayne Hape will make his first Guinness Premiership start at Harlequins tomorrow, with Steve Meehan claiming "the time is right" for the rugby league convert to take the next step in his union development.

Hape will start at inside centre as Bath, unbeaten in the league since their home defeat to Gloucester on September 13, look to keep up the pressure at the top of the table.

And head coach Meehan, who has so far limited summer recruit Hape to three starts in the EDF Energy Cup and one appearance off the bench in the Heineken Cup, has been impressed by the progress the 27-year-old has made.

Hape joined Bath from Bradford Bulls having been one of the biggest stars of the Super League, but has been prepared to patiently learn the 15-man code under Meehan's tutelage.

And two highly promising performances in the No 12 shirt – at Sale and Cardiff last month – have convinced Meehan that the former New Zealand rugby league international has a big future in union.

"I think this is a very good opportunity for Shontayne," said Meehan. "He did very nicely for us in both the Sale and Cardiff games and he has been training hard. What has been so impressive is that he has been patient. He has been prepared to bide his time.

"He has been calm and he has realised there is competition for spots, but he has also realised that his opportunity would come if he continued to work hard.

"He has not been rushed, but now is the right time to give him a start in the Premiership."

And after earlier debate over which position would best suit Hape, Meehan admits he is eager to get him as close to the ball as possible.

"His performances at 12 in the two most recent EDF matches indicated that that is his best position, at least in the short-term," said Meehan.

"You have got to remember that he is not the finished article and is likely to be someone who will continue to develop and improve as a rugby player.

"He could end up at 13, but I certainly don't see him on the wing. I see him as a player who, because of his ball skills, you want to get involved in the game. That is a great strength of his, so we want to move him closer to the ball rather than further away."

Fit-again scrum-half Michael Claassens will captain Bath tomorrow in the absence of Alex Crockett (injured) and Michael Lipman (international duty), but lock Danny Grewcock misses out with a foot injury.

The 36-year-old's problem is not thought to be serious, but Meehan has rested him with Bath's busy December and January schedule in mind.

In total, Meehan has made six personnel changes and two positional switches from the side that drew 28-28 at Northampton a week ago.

In addition to Claassens and Hape, Nick Abendanon, Tom Cheeseman, David Flatman and Stuart Hooper all return to the side.

Harlequins: M Brown; T Williams, G Tiesi, J Turner-Hall, S Stegmann; N Evans, A Gomarsall; C Jones, T Fuga, M Ross, J Percival, J Evans, C Robshaw, W Skinner (capt), T Guest. Reps: C Brooker, M Lambert, G Robson, N McMillan, J Poluleuligaga, D Barry, C Malone.

Bath: N Abendanon; J Cuthbert, T Cheeseman, S Hape, M Banahan; B James, M Claassens (capt); D Flatman, P Dixon, D Bell, J Harrison, P Short, S Hooper, J Fa'amatuainu, D Browne. Reps: R Hawkins, P Ion, A Beattie, J Scaysbrook, S Bemand, E Fuimaono, M Stephenson.