England PROP Kevin Yates begins his rugby rehabilitation today after serving a six-month ban for the shocking incident that shamed rugby.

But Yates, on the Bath replacements' bench against Allied Dunbar Premiership visitors Wasps, admits: "There is no point in me being bitter about it".

Despite vehemently denying the allegation, Yates was found guilty by Rugby Football Union disciplinary chiefs of biting London Scottish flanker Simon Fenn's ear during a Tetley's Bitter Cup tie last January.

"People are always going to talk about it, and I am always going to be stuck with it," said the 25-year-old front-row. "But I want to put the whole business behind me and get back playing rugby."

Gloucester, who won nine from 11 Premiership home games last season, open their Premiership campaign against Kingsholm visitors London Irish.

A much-changed London Irish hand out five Premiership debuts to former Moseley fly-half Matt Jones, ex-Coventry prop Rob Hardwick, South Africans Peter Rogers and Jake Boer, plus New Zealander Richard Kirke. Leicester manager Dean Richards is banking on the ability of England wing Austin Healey as they prepare to greet Zinzan Brooke-led Harlequins, but Manchester Sale coach John Mitchell admits he is worried about his side's trip to Harlequins's Stoop Memorial Ground, where newly-promoted London Scottish now play.

Strong title tips Saracens and Northampton clash at Watford tomorrow.