The quality of Bath Rugby’s academy is demonstrated once again as the entire tight five for the clash with Harlequins this weekend is homegrown.
Bath Rugby will be chasing another PREM double tomorrow, Saturday 18th April, when they host Harlequins, having won here at Twickenham Stoop Stadium in September | Photo © Richard Briggs
The Blue, Black & White will entertain the Londoners in Gallagher PREM Round 13 tomorrow, Saturday 18th April (5.30pm).
Johann van Graan’s changed Bath lie in second place in the table and are currently just one point behind leaders Northampton Saints.
However, the Midlanders face the tough prospect of a visit to Exeter Chiefs tomorrow (3.05pm) – so Bath could well be sitting at the summit when they come off the field tomorrow evening.
Bath’s front row against Quins at The Rec will comprise Scott Kirk, Tom Dunn and Vilikesa Sela.
The second row will see Ewan Richards partner Charlie Ewels.
Ted Hill and Guy Pepper will take the flanks, with Alfie Barbeary at number 8.
Ben Spencer will captain the side from scrum-half and will be joined in the half-back pairing by Finn Russell.
Max Ojomoh will combine with Ollie Lawrence in midfield.
Completing the back line, Henry Arundell and Joe Cokanasiga will take the wings and Santi Carreras will operate at full-back.
Dan Frost, Francois van Wyk and Thomas du Toit will provide their impact as Bath’s replacement front row.
Ross Molony, Josh Bayliss and Miles Reid will be the other replacement forwards.
Tom Carr-Smith and Louie Hennessey will provide cover for the backs.
Bath starting XV: 1 Scott Kirk, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Vilikesa Sela, 4 Ewan Richards, 5 Charlie Ewels, 6 Ted Hill, 7 Guy Pepper, 8 Alfie Barbeary, 9 Ben Spencer, 10 Finn Russell, 11 Henry Arundell, 12 Max Ojomoh, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 15 Santi Carreras.
Bath replacements: 16 Dan Frost, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Ross Molony, 20 Josh Bayliss, 21 Tom Carr Smith, 22 Louie Hennessey, 23 Miles Reid.
Harlequins have also made changes for their visit to Somerset.
In the front row, Will Hobson will pack down at loosehead, with Joe Jones at tighthead. The pair will be joined by Scotland international hooker George Turner.
Chandler Cunningham-South will partner Kieran Treadwell in the second row.
In the back row, Quins have opted for size. They will field Guido Petti Pagadizábal and Jack Kenningham alongside captain and number 8 Alex Dombrandt.
Lucas Friday will return to the starting line-up at scrum-half, with Jarrod Evans named at fly-half.
Bryn Bradley and Luke Northmore will be together in midfield.
Cadan Murley and Nick David will be on the wings and Marcus Smith will be full-back.
The travellers have opted for a six-two split on the bench.
Jack Walker will be joined by academy props Ethan Clarke and Ollie Streeter as front-row replacements.
Elliot Williams, Zach Carr and Will Evans will provide impact options across the back five of the pack.
And Stu Townsend and Sean Kerr have been named as replacement backs.
Harlequins starting XV: 1 Will Hobson, 2 George Turner, 3 Joe Jones, 4 Chandler Cunningham-South, 5 Kieran Treadwell, 6 Guido Petti Pagadizábal, 7 Jack Kenningham, 8 Alex Dombrandt, 9 Lucas Friday, 10 Jarrod Evans, 11 Cadan Murley, 12 Bryn Bradley, 13 Luke Northmore, 14 Nick David, 15 Marcus Smith.
Harlequins replacements: 16 Jack Walker, 17 Ethan Clarke, 18 Ollie Streeter, 19 Elliot Williams, 20 Zach Carr, 21 Will Evans, 22 Stu Townsend, 23 Sean Kerr.
The last few remaining tickets are available here.
When the sides met at Twickenham Stoop Stadium in Round 1 on Friday 26th September, Bath emerged 47-31 winners of a tremendous game in which Quins led 12-0 early on.
Meanwhile, young scrum-half Isaac Mears signed his first professional deal with Bath this week.
A statement from the Blue, Black & White said: “The club is pleased to confirm Isaac Mears has signed his first professional contract with Bath Rugby.
“Scrum-half Mears has risen through the Bath Rugby Academy, performing in the club’s age-grade competitions, including the NextGen U18 PREM Rugby League.
“The 18-year-old, who joined on an academy scholarship as part of the club’s partnership with the University of Bath, has committed himself to the club for the long-term future.
“Yet to make his senior debut for the club, Mears will be amongst plenty of international-level talent, learning from the club’s captain Ben Spencer in the same position.
“Mears captained England U19 in recent friendly fixture against Japan High Schools.
“He is also part of the BUCS [British Universities & Colleges Sport] Super Rugby league champions side of the University of Bath.
“The signing of Mears demonstrates the club’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of stars in Blue, Black & White.”
