Bath Rugby have revealed that key back-row ball carrier Alfie Barbeary sustained a hamstring injury during their 49-14 win over Bristol Bears two weeks ago in Round Three of the PREM Rugby Cup. Assistant coach Ryan Davis, in charge for this autumn series of cup fixtures, confirmed that Barbeary is expected to be sidelined for a short period with a return anticipated in December.
The club boasts considerable squad depth but currently faces a shortage of specialist back-row options. Jaco Coetzee is out with a knee injury likely to keep him off the field until the New Year. In response, Bath will rely more heavily on Miles Reid, who has been seeing increased game time at number eight this season, and Arthur Green, an emerging talent from the academy.
Bath will also be without their England A players for Friday’s trip to Kingsholm to face Gloucester Rugby. Centre Max Ojomoh, lock Ewan Richards, prop Billy Sela, and hooker Kepu Tuipulotu are all in contention for international duty against Spain. With Richards away, centre Will Butt will captain Bath for the first time since his age-group rugby days.
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Last weekend, Bath had twelve players on international duty, and this week several will again feature, including five starters for England’s clash against New Zealand. Notably, fly-half Finn Russell, who sustained minor knee and ankle injuries in Scotland’s narrow 25-17 loss to the All Blacks at Murrayfield, remains under medical observation. Scotland’s squad is monitoring his condition ahead of their match against Argentina this weekend to determine his availability.