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Wednesday, November 12, 2008, 17:13
Team captain Lipman is on international duty along with Lee Mears and Matt Stevens, and the trio will miss Bath's games against Leicester, Northampton and Harlequins over the next three weekends.
Club skipper Alex Crockett will take the reins for those matches as Bath look to remain at the summit – a position they have held since they beat London Wasps away in their last league game on October 1.
"Crocks can handle things by himself back at the club, but I will make sure I speak to a few of the guys before the weekend," said Lipman.
"This is a massive, massive game for Bath at the weekend, it's a top-of-the-table clash and I will be disappointed if the boys don't play to their full potential.
"But there is no reason why that should happen – from what I hear they are preparing really well for the game. I don't think many teams will beat us at home this season.
"It will be an easy transition for the guys who come into the side, because they are all first-team players."
And centre Crockett, who is set to lead the team on Saturday, shares Lipman's optimism.
"Steve Meehan has assembled a squad with great strength in depth," said Crockett.
"When I was first coming through into the first team, maybe the bulk of the wage cap was spent on four or five top players, but now it's a lot more equal.
"We are without Matt Stevens this weekend, for example, but we have still got David Flatman, David Barnes and Duncan Bell. We will put out a competitive side against Leicester."
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