Bath make three changes for Leicester Tigers fixture

September 27, 2024
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Ultimate Rugby

After an impressive return to the Premiership last week, Bath Rugby hit the road to take on Leicester Tigers on Sunday featuring three changes to the pack.

The front row remains the same, with Beno Obano, Tom Dunn and Will Stuart lining up for a second week.

A switch in the second row sees Quinn Roux partnered by Ross Molony who makes both his Bath Rugby and Premiership debut. Charlie Ewels moves to the bench.

In the back row, Guy Pepper gets his first start for Bath on the openside, with Josh Bayliss on the blindside and Alfie Barbeary completing the pack at Number 8.

Van Graan’s back line mirrors that of last week’s 38-16 win over Saints, seeing captain Ben Spencer and Finn Russell partnered at half back.

Will Muir and Joe Cokanasiga will feature out on the wings, with Will Butt and Ollie Lawrence in the midfield.

Tom de Glanville remains at full back to complete Bath’s starting line-up.

On the bench, van Graan selects Niall Annett and Francois van Wyk. Vilikesa Sela will also look to earn his Bath Rugby debut as he is named replacement tighthead.

Ted Hill and Jaco Coetzee join Ewels on the bench to complete the replacement forwards.

Tom Carr-Smith is named as this week’s replacement scrum-half, joined by Orlando Bailey to complete the bench’s 6-2 split.

The game takes place at Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium on Sunday 29 September (kick-off 15:00).

TEAMS

Leicester Tigers: 1 Nicky Smith, 2 Charlie Clare, 3 Joe Heyes, 4 Harry Wells, 5 George Martin, 6 Hanro Liebenberg, 7 Tommy Reffell, 8 Olly Cracknell, 9 Jack van Poortvliet (c), 10 Jamie Shillcock, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 12 Dan Kelly, 13 Izaia Perese, 14 Anthony Watson, 15 Freddie Steward

Replacements: 16 Finn Theobald-Thomas, 17 James Cronin, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Côme Joussain, 20 Kyle Hatherell, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 Ben Volavola, 23 Mike Brown

Head of Rugby: Michael Cheika

Bath Rugby: 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Will Stuart, 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Ross Molony (debut), 6 Josh Bayliss, 7 Guy Pepper, 8 Alfie Barbeary, 9 Ben Spencer ©, 10 Finn Russell, 11 Will Muir, 12 Will Butt, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 15 Tom de Glanville

Replacements: 16 Niall Annett, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Vilikesa Sela (debut), 19 Charlie Ewels, 20 Ted Hill, 21 Tom Carr-Smith, 22 Orlando Bailey, 23 Jaco Coetzee

Head of Rugby: Johann van Graan

MATCH DETAILS

Fixture: Leicester Tigers v Bath Rugby
Date: Sunday 29 September 2024
Time: 15:00
Location: Mattioli Woods Welford Road
Competition: Premiership
Round: 2
Coverage: Ultimate Rugby