Bath Rugby’s head of rugby, Johann van Graan, has provided an injury update ahead of Friday night’s West Country derby against Gloucester at Kingsholm. England international Ollie Lawrence, Irish lock Ross Molony, and full-back Tom de Glanville are all ruled out due to injury concerns.
Lawrence, who is expected to be named in England’s Six Nations squad soon, will sit out as a precaution after experiencing swelling around his knee. Van Graan reassures fans, stating, “It’s nothing major. Ollie is a vital player for both Bath and England. This is not a long-term issue, but he wasn’t available this weekend.”
Ross Molony faces a longer recovery period with a bicep injury that will keep him sidelined for several weeks. “Ross has been a workhorse for us, playing plenty of minutes and performing admirably. His absence is a significant setback,” van Graan said.
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Bath’s second-row options remain stretched, especially with Ewan Richards still out with an ankle injury. However, the squad is boosted by the return of former captain and England international Charlie Ewels. Having been out since early December due to a leg injection, Ewels comes back with limited game time but holds a crucial leadership role. Van Graan emphasized, “Charlie is the ultimate professional. Despite low minutes recently, his presence and voice are invaluable to the group, so bringing him back from the bench was the right call.”
Tom de Glanville also remains unavailable after a scan revealed an ankle injury sustained during training. While the injury showed noticeable bruising and swelling earlier in the week, van Graan confirmed it is not serious or season-threatening. “Tom is walking normally again, and although he won’t be ready for this week, it’s not long-term.”
Van Graan concluded by acknowledging the ongoing challenges coaches face: “Each week brings injuries, tough squad decisions, and strong opponents. We constantly have to make difficult calls balancing player welfare and team performance.”