Bath Rugby head coach Johann van Graan has named a youthful and developmental squad for the club’s first pre-season fixture of the summer, an away match against French Top 14 side Perpignan on Thursday evening.
Continuing the tradition established during Van Graan’s tenure, the team has conducted this year’s training camp in the south of France, culminating in the friendly match that offers players crucial game time ahead of the upcoming season.
Van Graan described the purpose of the camp before departure: “We’re all off to Perpignan for our planning week. We’ve made some incredible memories over the last few years in Spain, Ireland, Jersey, and Falmouth. This year we’ve chosen Perpignan.
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“All international players are currently resting and will return in due course, so they won’t be available in the early weeks. We’ll assess how our training is reflected on the field in the match against Perpignan, then move into the Premiership Rugby Cup fixtures.”
The Premiership Rugby Cup campaign begins away at Sale Sharks on 6 September, with a schedule that quickly follows with matches against Bedford, Glasgow, and ultimately the Gallagher Premiership curtain-raiser against Harlequins.
With key individuals involved in summer internationals resting and some players recovering from surgery, Van Graan has selected Scott Kirk, Jasper Spandler, and Kieran Verden to form the starting front row.
Will Jeanes and Ewan Richards, who will captain the side, make up the second row. The back row consists of Jack Bennett, George Timmins, and Arthur Green.
Backline starters see Ieuan Davies, returning from a loan spell at Cardiff in 2025/26, at scrum-half, partnered at fly-half by Ciaran Donoghue. The back three include Austin Emens, Will Roue, Jack Harrison, Charlie Griffin, and Jack Woods, who makes his first appearance since suffering a hamstring injury earlier this year.
Van Graan has also named a large bench, providing ample game time for 11 forwards and six backs, including new recruits Dan du Preez and Declan Treacey. The match kicks off at 19:30 local time at Stade Aimé Giral.
Bath Rugby starting XV:
- Scott Kirk
- Jasper Spandler
- Kieran Verden
- Will Jeanes
- Ewan Richards (c)
- Jack Bennett
- George Timmins
- Arthur Green
- Ieuan Davies
- Ciaran Donoghue
- Austin Emens
- Will Roue
- Jack Harrison
- Charlie Griffin
- Jack Woods
Replacements (rolling): Henry Arundell, Tom Carr-Smith, Dan du Preez, Ioan Emanuel, Dan Frost, Alfie Griffin, James Linegar, Isaac Mears, James Maloney, Ross Molony, Max Pearce, Miles Reid, Quinn Roux, Declan Treacey, Kepueli Tuipulotu, Harry Walker, Claudius Wheeler.