Bath Rugby’s head of rugby, Johann van Graan, has confirmed that England international Ollie Lawrence, Irish lock Ross Molony, and full-back Tom de Glanville will miss Friday night’s West Country derby due to injury concerns.
Lawrence, who is expected to be named in England’s Six Nations squad, is sitting out the trip to Kingsholm as a precaution after experiencing swelling around his knee. Van Graan reassured fans, saying, “He’s got a bit of swelling on his knee. It’s nothing major. Ollie is a vital player for us and England. It’s definitely not long-term, but he was unavailable for the weekend.”
Irish lock Ross Molony is facing a longer layoff due to a bicep injury. “Ross won’t be available for several weeks because of that bicep,” van Graan confirmed. “He’s been handling a heavy workload and has performed exceptionally well. It’s a blow for us.”
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With Ewan Richards still recovering from an ankle injury, Bath’s second-row options remain limited. However, the squad has gained a boost with the return of former club captain and England international Charlie Ewels. Absent since early December due to a leg injection, Ewels is back on the bench. “Charlie is the ultimate professional,” said van Graan. “He’s had limited game time and training, but we decided it was best for him and the team to bring him back this week. His leadership and voice are invaluable to the group.”
Meanwhile, full-back Tom de Glanville is also sidelined after suffering an ankle injury. “He went for a scan,” van Graan explained. “It’s not major, but his ankle was quite bruised. He’s walking normally and not on crutches or a brace, but he wasn’t close to being available this week.”
Van Graan summed up the situation: “Every week brings injuries, squad rotation challenges, and tough decisions. We have to manage all these factors carefully as we prepare for our upcoming matches.”