Bath Rugby face a tough challenge on Sunday as they travel to the CorpAcq Stadium to take on Sale Sharks in the opening round of the 2026/27 PREM Rugby Cup. Sale Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson has named a strong side, signalling a competitive start to the season.
Having already engaged in a pre-season friendly against Perpignan last week, in which they were narrowly defeated 53-42 in the South of France, Bath enter the competition with momentum and opportunity. Bath’s head of rugby, Johann van Graan, has reiterated his commitment to using the PREM Rugby Cup as a platform for developing academy talents and fringe players. This strategy has previously yielded success, helping Bath secure the trophy in the 2024/25 season and reach the semi-finals last year.
For the initial block of the PREM Rugby Cup fixtures, Bath academy coach Mark Lilley will take charge as head coach, supported by Ryan Davis and Luke Charteris. Despite this, van Graan retains authority over team selection and has appointed Ewan Richards as the Cup captain for an impressive third consecutive year.
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The Bath starting XV showcases a blend of experience and emerging talent. The front row features Scott Kirk, Kepueli Tuipulotu, and Kieran Verden, with Richards and Will Jeanes completing the tight five. Jack Bennett and George Timmins take the flanker positions, while Italian international giant Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi makes his Cup debut at number 8.
In the halves, Ieuan Davies starts at scrum-half, partnering with fly-half Ciaran Donoghue. The centre pairing includes debutant Declan Treacey, who joined the Senior Academy earlier this year, alongside Charlie Griffin at outside centre. Wingers Sam Winters and Tyler Offiah, with Jack Woods at full back, complete the backline.
Bath’s bench brings further depth with front row replacements Jasper Spandler, Ioan Emanuel, and Alfie Griffin. James Maloney and Alex Ridgway bolster the forward replacements, complemented by Tom Carr-Smith, James Linegar, and Jack Harrison to complete the matchday squad.
The match kicks off at 3pm on Sunday, 6 February, at the CorpAcq Stadium and will be available to watch live via PREM Rugby’s YouTube channel.
Sale Sharks starting XV: 15. Joe Carpenter, 14. Tom Roebuck, 13. Joe Marchant, 12. Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, 11. Arron Reed, 10. Alex Lozowski, 9. Gus Warr; 1. Bevan Rodd, 2. Nathan Jibulu, 3. Tye Raymont, 4. Ernst van Rhyn (c), 5. Ben Bamber, 6. Courtney Lawes, 7. Sam Dugdale, 8. Jacques Vermeulen.
Sale Sharks replacements: 6. Alfie Longstaff, 17. Ralph McEachran, 18. Patreece Bell, 19. Christ Tshiunza, 20. Tristan Woodman, 21. Xavier Roe, 22. Ollie Davies, 23. Marius Louw.
Bath Rugby starting XV: 15. Jack Woods, 14. Tyler Offiah, 13. Charlie Griffin, 12. Declan Treacey (debut), 11. Sam Winters, 10. Ciaran Donoghue, 9. Ieuan Davies; 1. Scott Kirk, 2. Kepueli Tuipulotu, 3. Kieran Verden, 4. Will Jeanes, 5. Ewan Richards (c), 6. Jack Bennett, 7. George Timmins, 8. Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi.
Bath Rugby replacements: 16. Jasper Spandler, 17. Ioan Emanuel, 18. Alfie Griffin, 19. James Maloney, 20. Alex Ridgway, 21. Tom Carr-Smith, 22. James Linegar, 23. Jack Harrison.
Match officials: Referee Sara Cox; Assistant referees Hamish Grant and Jamie Leahy.