Redpath set for 100th Bath runout, Oldfield and Sulians lose finals

Cameron Redpath is set to make his 100th appearance for Bath Rugby, when they visit Exeter Chiefs in Gallagher PREM Round 15 on Sunday 10th May.

Cameron Redpath will make his 100th appearance for Bath Rugby if he comes off the bench here at Exeter Chiefs on Sunday 10th May | Photo © Richard Briggs

The Scotland international centre has been named among the Blue, Black & White’s replacements for the match at Sandy Park and will reach his milestone if he comes off the bench.

A Bath player who will definitely reach a milestone in Devon is Francois van Wyk. He has been named in the front row – alongside fellow prop Archie Griffin and former Exeter hooker Dan Frost – and will make his 50th appearance for the Somerset club.

Quinn Roux and Ross Molony will combine in the second row.

Ted Hill and Sam Underhill will be on the flanks and Alfie Barbeary will remain at number 8.

Scrum-half Ben Spencer and fly-half Finn Russell will form the half-back pairing.

And in midfield, Will Butt – who will join the Chiefs this summer – will pair with Ollie Lawrence.

Henry Arundell will be joined by the returning Joe Cokanasiga on the wings, and Tom de Glanville will complete the starting line-up at full-back.

Redpath’s fellow replacements will be forwards Kepueli Tuipulotu, Beno Obano, Thomas du Toit, Charlie Ewels and Guy Pepper and backs Tom Carr-Smith and Santi Carreras.

Bath starting XV: 1 Francois van Wyk, 2 Dan Frost, 3 Archie Griffin, 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Ross Molony, 6 Ted Hill, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Alfie Barbeary, 9 Ben Spencer, 10 Finn Russell, 11 Henry Arundell, 12 Will Butt, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 15 Tom de Glanville.

Bath replacements: 16 Kepueli Tuipulotu, 17 Beno Obano, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Charlie Ewels, 20 Guy Pepper, 21 Tom Carr-Smith, 22 Santi Carreras, 23 Cameron Redpath.

The Blue, Black & White will go into the game in second place in the PREM, whereas the Chiefs lie in fourth spot.

After announcing his team for the big match, Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter praised Bath – but was clear that he is out for a win on Sunday.

Baxter said: “I think the recent form you’re seeing from Bath is all a result of the work and planning that Johann [van Graan, head of rugby] has put in from the start.

“It’s all around his development of the squad, getting some real depth in there but also an understanding shared across their wider group of how Bath play.

“They have a real focus on the things they do to put pressure on the opposition, how they move the ball, how they put pace into the game and how they set the tempo of the game. Those are all things I think they’ve done really well.

“They’re one of the markers you have to hold yourself against now in the PREM.

“We’ve got to make sure we stick with them and try to get a decent result at home.”

Josh Iosefa-Scott will return at tighthead prop for the Chiefs, packing down with loosehead Scott Sio and hooker Max Norey.

Match captain Dafydd Jenkins will partner Andrea Zambonin in the second row, and Tom Hooper, Christ Tshiunza and Ross Vintcent will be the back row.

Stephen Varney and Harvey Skinner will lead the charge from the half-back pairing and Henry Slade and Len Ikitau will look to make an impact in midfield.

Paul Brown-Bampoe and Campbell Ridl will take up their preferred positions on the wings and Olly Woodburn will operate at full-back.

On the Exeter bench will be forwards Bachuki Tchumbadze, Joseph Dweba, Ethan Burger, Rusi Tuima and Finn Worley Brady and backs Tom Cairns, Will Haydon-Wood and Ben Hammersley.

Exeter starting XV: 1 Scott Sio, 2 Max Norey, 3 Josh Iosefa-Scott, 4 Dafydd Jenkins, 5 Andrea Zambonin, 6 Tom Hooper, 7 Christ Tshiunza, 8 Ross Vintcent, 9 Stephen Varney, 10 Harvey Skinner, 11 Campbell Ridl, 12 Len Ikitau, 13 Henry Slade, 14 Paul Brown-Bampoe, 15 Olly Woodburn.

Exeter replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Ethan Burger, 18 Bachuki Tchumbadze, 19 Rusi Tuima, 20 Finn Worley Brady, 21 Tom Cairns, 22 Will Haydon-Wood, 23 Ben Hammersley.

Kick-off at Sandy Park will be at 3.30pm. Tickets can be purchased here.

The match will be refereed by Karl Dickson, assisted by Luke Pearce and Jonathan Healy.

David Rose will be the television match official.

Second row Harvey Cuckson will leave Bath at the end of the season – to join West Wales’ Scarlets, the United Rugby Championship club where he played on loan this term.

A statement from the Blue, Black & White said: “Harvey Cuckson will leave Bath Rugby at the end of the season.

“The 22-year-old joined the club’s academy in 2022 from Worcester Warriors and has gone on to make 10 appearances in club colours.

“Cuckson made his debut for Bath in the PREM Rugby Cup, locking in against Ampthill [in November 2024].

“He has also earned international honours along the way, pulling on the England jersey across U18, U19 and U20 fixtures.

“During his Bath Rugby career, Cuckson has been part of BUCS [British Universities & Colleges Sport] Super Rugby, representing the University of Bath.

“Having played five games on loan with the Scarlets this season, he will link up permanently with the Llanelli-based URC side for 2026-27.

“We would like to thank Harvey for all he has contributed to the Blue, Black & White.”

Trowbridge and Corsham were the winners when the Bath & District Combination staged their finals at The Rec on Wednesday 6th May.

Trowbridge pipped Chippenham 39-38 to secure the Davies Access Bath Combination Cup.

And Corsham lifted the Davies Access Bath Combination Vase by beating local side Oldfield Old Boys 17-12.

A spokesman for the Shaft Road-based Vase runners-up said: “Under the lights at The Rec, it was a thrilling and fiercely contested final as a determined Oldfield Old Boys side left absolutely everything on the pitch.

“Despite a courageous performance full of heart, grit and passion by Oldfield, Corsham edged a narrow 17-12 victory in an unforgettable encounter.

“Every tackle, carry and minute reflected the character and spirit of this Oldfield team, who battled right to the final whistle and represented the club with immense pride.

“A massive thank you to everyone who came down to support the lads and create such an incredible atmosphere on the night.

“Your backing from the sidelines never goes unnoticed – the Oldfield family showed up in force once again.

“Well done to the Bath Combination for putting on another fantastic tournament. A brilliantly organised event, great atmosphere throughout and a real showcase of grassroots rugby at its best.

“The club couldn’t be prouder of our senior coaches and every player who pulled on the Oldfield jersey this season.

“The commitment, togetherness and passion shown throughout the campaign have been outstanding.

“Heads held high. Stronger together. Onwards and upwards.”

Oldfield starting XV: 1 Kyle Bell, 2 Adam Watts, 3 Jake Mole, 4 Bertie Barker, 5 Ben Lansdown, 6 Jack Minuer, 7 Harry Allinson, 8 Tom Pugh, 9 Joe Childs, 10 Maxim Garrett, 11 Noah Hulme, 12 Danny Plumtree, 13 Josh Nicholson, 14 Theo Jones, 15 Billy Coombes.

Oldfield replacements: 16 Ivo Clarke, 17 Riley Marshall, 18 Archie Watts, 19 Jacob Quinn, 20 Joe Samios, 21 Denis Palcr, 22 Ben Stoaling.

Oldfield’s appearance in the final capped a hugely successful campaign for the club as the 2nd XV finished as champions of Counties 4 Tribute Ale Somerset North.

Old Sulians lost 71-19 to Clevedon at Lobbingtons, home of the Chew Valley club, on Thursday 7th May in the Webb Ellis Somerset Vase final.

Sulians hit back at 17-0 down to score a converted try but the seasiders led 24-7 at half-time.

The Lansdown-based outfit added another converted try early in the second period.

But Clevedon soon went 31-14 up, increased the lead to 50-14 towards the end of the third quarter and had 64 points on the board before Sulians crossed the line again.

Despite the result, Sulians can reflect on a superb centenary season – they also finished runners-up in Counties 3 Tribute Ale Somerset North.