Bath Rugby have named a squad containing big names for their PREM Rugby Cup derby with Bristol Bears at The Rec tomorrow, Saturday 14th February (2.30pm).
The Rec is sold out for Bath Rugby’s derby tussle with Bristol Bears in PREM Rugby Cup Round 8 tomorrow, Saturday 14th February | Photo © Richard Briggs
The sold-out Round 8 encounter will see the Blue, Black & White looking for a third consecutive victory in the competition, following wins against Sale Sharks on Sunday 8th February and Saturday 22nd November.
Bath’s recent England internationals Max Ojomoh and Will Muir are in their starting XV – and former British & Irish Lions and Scotland centre Chris Harris is on the bench for the Valentine’s Day encounter.
Scott Kirk, Dan Frost and Kieran Verden remain in the front row, former Exeter Chiefs hooker Frost fresh from a hat-trick of tries at the CorpAcq Stadium in Bath’s 60-19 success last weekend.
In the second row, Will Jeanes is joined by Ewan Richards, who makes a welcome return after a spell on the sidelines.
Ethan Staddon, Thompson Cowan and Arthur Green retain their places in the back row.
And the Blue, Black & White’s half-back pairing of Bernard van der Linde and University of Bath student Will Roue remain in tandem at 9 and 10 respectively.
Will Butt captains the side from inside centre, with Ojomoh joining him in midfield.
Will Muir, Charlie Griffin and Austin Emens bring their pace and finishing ability to complete the starting XV.
Ioan Emanuel, Kepueli Tuipulotu and Mikey Summerfield are named as the replacement front row.
Jack Bennett and George Timmins complete the impact forwards, with Ieuan Davies, James Linegar and Harris the replacement backs.
Bath starting XV: 1 Scott Kirk, 2 Dan Frost, 3 Kieran Verden, 4 Will Jeanes, 5 Ewan Richards, 6 Ethan Staddon, 7 Thompson Cowan, 8 Arthur Green, 9 Bernard van der Linde, 10 Will Roue, 11 Will Muir, 12 Will Butt, 13 Max Ojomoh, 14 Charlie Griffin, 15 Austin Emens.
Bath replacements: 16 Kepueli Tuipulotu, 17 Ioan Emanuel, 18 Mikey Summerfield, 19 Jack Bennett, 20 George Timmins, 21 Ieuan Davies, 22 James Linegar, 23 Chris Harris.
The Blue, Black & White won the Round 3 meeting of the sides at Ashton Gate Stadium 49-19 on Friday 31st October, when they fielded what was simply a much better side than the Bears put out.
This time Bristol have named 10 academy players in their matchday squad, which also features the vastly experienced Harry Randall, Harry Thacker and Max Lahiff.
Centre Joe Jenkins will be making his first start for the Bears since October.
Jenkins, who returned from a hamstring injury as a replacement during the 46-35 home defeat by Exeter in Round 7 on Saturday 7th February, lines up in midfield alongside Argentina international Benjamin Elizalde.
Captain Randall returns at scrum-half off the back of a player-of-the-match display for England A in their 52-14 win over Ireland A at Thomond Park, Limerick, on Friday 6th February.
Max Pepper switches to the wing – and Sam Worsley continues at fly-half.
In the pack, Lahiff returns from England camp to start at tighthead, replacing the injured Jimmy Halliwell, with academy prop Louie Trevett continuing at loosehead.
Thacker is at hooker – and in the back row, there is a start for academy forward John Edwards.
Among the replacements, there is a potential debut for academy hooker Kieran Hill.
Bristol starting XV: 1 Louie Trevett, 2 Harry Thacker, 3 Max Lahiff, 4 James Dun, 5 Steele Barker, 6 Joe Owen, 7 George Taylor, 8 John Edwards, 9 Harry Randall, 10 Sam Worsley, 11 Gabriel Ibitoye, 12 Joe Jenkins, 13 Benjamin Elizalde, 14 Max Pepper, 15 Rich Lane.
Bristol replacements: 16 Tomas Gwilliam, 17 Sam Grahamslaw, 18 Sam Scott, 19 Ethan Surrey, 20 Kieran Hill, 21 Sam Wolstenholme, 22 Charlie Powell, 23 Ollie Harris.
Bath are in third place in Pool A, two points behind second-placed Exeter and three points adrift of leaders Gloucester Rugby. The Chiefs have played one match more than both Bath and Gloucester.
Bristol are bottom of the group, with just one win – 40-24 at Gloucester in Round 2 – to their name from six outings.
After tomorrow’s match, the Blue, Black & White will face Exeter at Sandy Park in Round 9 on Saturday 21st February (4.30pm) before wrapping up their pool fixtures at home to the Cherry & Whites on Saturday 28th February (3pm) in another game that has now been declared a sellout.
The top two sides from each of the two pools after the completion of the group matches will advance to the semi-finals in March.
