Bath Rugby fans will have the chance to see new signings Bernard van der Linde and Chris Harris in action for the club for the first time tomorrow (Saturday 6th September).
Bath Rugby will play their first pre-season fixture tomorrow (Saturday 6th September) when they host Glasgow Warriors | Photo © RogerMechan / Shutterstock.com
The duo have been named in the starting XV for the Blue, Black & White’s opening pre-season fixture, against Glasgow Warriors at the Rec (3pm).
Head coach Johann van Graan, who masterminded Bath’s treble-winning 2024-25 campaign, has selected a side that blends youth and experience for the clash with the BKT United Rugby Championship club.
Ewan Richards will captain the home side from the back row, where he will be alongside fellow flanker Thompson Cowan and number eight Arthur Green.
The front row taking on the Scottish outfit will comprise hooker Jasper Spandler and props Scott Kirk and Kieran Verden, the latter having penned a new contract with Bath this summer.
Locks Will Jeanes and Harvey Cuckson will complete the pack.
Twenty-four-year-old scrum-half van der Linde, who has joined Bath from South African club Vodacom Bulls, will start alongside fly-half Ciaran Donoghue.
In the centre, Will Butt will wear number 12 and Harris – a 34-year-old former British & Irish Lions and Scotland star who has signed for Bath from Gloucester Rugby – will be at 13.
The wing positions will be occupied by Charlie Griffin, coming into the side at 11, and Austin Emens.
Sam Winters, who penned a senior academy deal with Bath during the summer, will start at full-back.
Bath starting XV: 1 Scott Kirk, 2 Jasper Spandler, 3 Kieran Verden, 4 Will Jeanes, 5 Harvey Cuckson, 6 Ewan Richards, 7 Thompson Cowan, 8 Arthur Green, 9 Bernard van der Linde, 10 Ciaran Donoghue, 11 Charlie Griffin, 12 Will Butt, 13 Chris Harris, 14 Austin Emens, 15 Sam Winters.
Bath reps: Henry Arundell, Henry Bartlett, Jack Bennett, Tom Carr-Smith, Joe Cokanasiga, Tom de Glanville, Tom Dunn, Alfie Griffin, Jack Harrison, Neil le Roux, James Linegar, James Maloney, Ross Molony, Max Pearce, Miles Reid, Quinn Roux, Ethan Staddon, Mikey Summerfield, Francois van Wyk, Claudius Wheeler.
Glasgow will be captained by 24-year-old forward Euan Ferrie and have named a starting XV of whom 13 players turned out for the Warriors’ A team last season.
The most experienced member of the visitors’ starting XV is hooker Grant Stewart, a 30-year-old former Scotland international.
Among the Glasgow replacements will be Scotland international forwards Rory Sutherland, Nathan McBeth and Max Williamson and former Australia cap Sam Talakai.
Glasgow starting XV: 1 Jake Shearer, 2 Grant Stewart, 3 Fin Richardson, 4 Ryan Burke, 5 Jare Oguntibeju, 6 Macenzzie Duncan, 7 Joe Roberts, 8 Euan Ferrie, 9 Jack Oliver, 10 Matthew Urwin, 11 Ben Salmon, 12 Kerr Yule, 13 Kerr Johnston, 14 Cameron van Wyk, 15 Fergus Watson.
Glasgow reps: Ben Afshar, Dylan Cockburn, Angus Fraser, Dan Halkon, Gregor Hiddleston, Brent Jackson, Dan Lancaster, Nathan McBeth, Josh McKay, Ollie Smith, Seb Stephen, Rory Sutherland, Sam Talakai, Johnny Ventisei, Max Williamson.
Gates will open at 1pm.
There will be happy hour in the Fan Village behind the East Stand from 1pm to 2pm. And new band ReTold will be on the Swift Half stage pre-match from 1pm and post-match until 5.45pm.
Free face painting will be on offer in the Fan Village and there will be children’s entertainment from Super Pirates.
Bath fans are encouraged to bring flags and make noise to welcome the home players when they arrive at the Rec via the William Street gate at around 1.40pm.
