Bath Rugby Head of Rugby Johann van Graan has announced a 35-man squad for the Premiership champions' opening pre-season match against Glasgow Warriors, set to take place at The Rec this Saturday.
The team selection features a blend of seasoned players and promising talent, highlighted by two new signings, Chris Harris and Bernard van der Linde, both earning their first starts in Bath’s iconic Blue, Black, and White kit.
Ewan Richards leads the side as captain from the back row, flanked by flankers Thompson Cowan and Arthur Green at number 8. The front row includes hooker Jasper Spandler, paired with props Scott Kirk and Kieran Verden, who recently extended his contract with Bath.
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The lock pairing of Will Jeanes and Harvey Cuckson provides a strong presence in the engine room. Bernard van der Linde, who recently joined from the South African Vodacom Bulls, starts at scrum-half alongside fly-half Ciaran Donoghue.
In the centres, Will Butt wears number 12, with new signing Chris Harris, who transferred from Gloucester, at 13. The wings are covered by Charlie Griffin and Austin Emens, while Sam Winters, promoted to a Senior Academy contract this summer, takes the fullback position.
Bath Rugby Starting XV:
1 Scott Kirk, 2 Jasper Spandler, 3 Kieran Verden, 4 Will Jeanes, 5 Harvey Cuckson, 6 Ewan Richards (Captain), 7 Thompson Cowan, 8 Arthur Green, 9 Bernard van der Linde, 10 Ciaran Donoghue, 11 Charlie Griffin, 12 Will Butt, 13 Chris Harris, 14 Austin Emens, 15 Sam Winters
Replacements (in alphabetical order):
Henry Arundell, Henry Bartlett, Jack Bennett, Tom Carr-Smith, Joe Cokanasiga, Tom de Glanville, Tom Dunn, Alfie Griffin, Jack Harrison, Neil le Roux, James Linegar, James Maloney, Ross Molony, Max Pearce, Miles Reid, Quinn Roux, Ethan Staddon, Mikey Summerfield, Francois van Wyk, Claudius Wheeler.
Glasgow Warriors Starting XV:
1 Jake Shearer, 2 Grant Stewart, 3 Fin Richardson, 4 Ryan Burke, 5 Jare Oguntibeju, 6 Macenzzie Duncan, 7 Joe Roberts, 8 Euan Ferrie (Captain), 9 Jack Oliver, 10 Matthew Urwin, 11 Ben Salmon, 12 Kerr Yule, 13 Kerr Johnston, 14 Cameron van Wyk, 15 Fergus Watson.
Glasgow Warriors Replacements:
Seb Stephen, Gregor Hiddleston, Nathan McBeth, Rory Sutherland, Sam Talakai, Max Williamson, Dan Halkon, Dylan Cockburn, Angus Fraser, Ben Afshar, Brent Jackson, Dan Lancaster, Johnny Ventisei, Josh McKay, Ollie Smith.