Bath Rugby’s head of rugby, Johann van Graan, has released a detailed injury update ahead of the 2026/27 Gallagher Premiership season, confirming a number of setbacks for key players.
Since the last medical report during pre-season, Scotland international loosehead prop Jamie Bhatti has sustained a broken forearm during last weekend’s friendly victory against Glasgow Warriors. Bhatti underwent surgery today and is expected to be sidelined for several months. Van Graan expressed disappointment, stating, “It’s unfortunate about Jamie. He was so excited to get going, and unfortunately, he’ll be out for a few months now. He’s getting operated on today, and hopefully he’s back ASAP.”
Alongside Bhatti, winger Henry Arundell (England), tighthead prop Billy Sela, and Wales centre Louie Hennessey are also currently unavailable due to injuries. Club captain Ben Spencer and England winger Will Muir continue their rehabilitation from shoulder surgeries sustained during the off-season.
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Regarding Spencer’s progress, van Graan commented, “Ben will return to some sort of team training in the next few weeks, so we’ll put him back on the field when he’s ready.” The coach noted that both Sela and Hennessey are recovering from foot injuries and will be out for some time, while Muir has yet to regain full fitness from his shoulder operation.
Other updates include Connor Tracey, who has returned to full training after a calf injury sustained during the Junior World Championships. Tom Cowan, recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained in February, has started some team training but remains unavailable for selection. Conversely, Jaco Coetzee, also dealing with an ACL injury, has resumed full training and is available for selection.
Arundell is sidelined with a minor back issue, ruling him out of this week’s match.
Van Graan reflected on the injury challenges, saying, “Injuries are part and parcel of a rugby team. What we’ve done over the last few years is build our squad and the depth that we’ve created. The 23 that represent us tomorrow night are excited and ready to go.”
Team line-ups for Friday night’s Gallagher Premiership opener at Harlequins are as follows:
Harlequins: Tyrone Green (15), Cameron Anderson (14), Oscar Beard (13), Bryn Bradley (12), Cadan Murley (c) (11), Connor Slevin (10), Will Porter (9), Will Hobson (1), Jack Walker (2), Pedro Delgado (3), James Dun (4), Harry Browne (5), Jack Kenningham (6), Will Evans (7), Chandler Cunningham-South (8).
Replacements: Sam Riley (16), Boris Wenger (17), Harry Johnson-Holmes (18), Kieran Treadwell (19), Guido Petti Pagadizábal (20), Lucas Friday (21), Josh Bellamy (22), Rodrigo Isgró (23).
Bath Rugby: Beno Obano (1), Dan Frost (2), Will Stuart (3), Ted Hill (4), Charlie Ewels (c) (5), Josh Bayliss (6), Sam Underhill (7), Dan du Preez (8), Tom Carr-Smith (9), Finn Russell (10), Tom de Glanville (11), Max Ojomoh (12), Ollie Lawrence (13), Joe Cokanasiga (14), Santi Carreras (15).
Replacements: Kepueli Tuipulotu (16), Scott Kirk (17), Archie Griffin (18), Ewan Richards (19), Guy Pepper (20), Bernard van der Linde (21), Cameron Redpath (22), Miles Reid (23).