Johann van Graan, Bath Rugby’s head of rugby, is confident that Scott Kirk, the former England U20 loosehead prop, is ready to make a significant impact in the current season amid challenging circumstances for the club.
Bath boasts considerable strength across most positions, but the recent injury to summer signing Jamie Bhatti has created a pressing need at loosehead prop. Bhatti sustained a broken forearm during the final pre-season victory against Glasgow Warriors, sidelining him for several weeks and reducing options in a key front-row position.
The club had been fortunate to have two internationals available on both sides of the scrum, but Bhatti’s absence coincided with another scare when Beno Obano, England international and Bath’s starting loosehead, was forced off the field temporarily due to a high tackle in the opening Gallagher Premiership match against Harlequins. Thankfully, Obano successfully completed his Head Injury Assessment and returned to help Bath secure a 33-17 triumph at the Recreation Ground.
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During Obano’s absence on the pitch and in the closing stages of the match, Scott Kirk entered the fray to make only his sixth Premiership appearance, having predominantly featured in the Premiership Rugby Cup competition. Kirk brings a strong pedigree, having formed part of an impressive England U20 front row alongside players such as Sale Sharks’ Asher Opoku-Fordjour and Gloucester’s Afo Fasogbon.
Speaking about the squad’s depth following the departure of Francois van Wyk and Thomas du Toit in the summer, van Graan said: “That is the beauty of rugby and having a squad. You need to back your squad. We will certainly do that. I think Scott is primed to have a breakthrough season. You think of the opportunities he had last season and the moments he had. That is the beauty of having a squad, and part of being a young player. They need to make the step up at some stage, he has certainly done that over the preseason, and I thought he did that tonight.”
With Bath’s squad reportedly close to the salary cap limit, the club’s option to recruit additional cover is restricted. Injury dispensation funds can only be used when a player is sidelined for a minimum continuous period of 12 weeks, whereas Bhatti’s injury may result in a shorter spell out. Consequently, van Graan appears committed to relying on existing squad members like Kirk to shoulder the responsibility in the front row.