Australian centre Ben Tapuai will make his starting debut for Bath Rugby on Sunday when they take on Harlequins in the Aviva Premiership at the Stoop, kick-off 15:15.
Tapuai joins Max Clark in the midfield, who had an impressive return from injury in the win against Bristol last weekend. Out wide Aled Brew comes back into the starting line-up on the left wing with Semesa Rokoduguni, England’s Man of the Match against Fiji, on the right. Tom Homer provides the threat from fullback, as Dan Bowden starts at fly-half for the first time this season and Darren Allinson continues at scrum-half.
Up front, Tom Dunn starts between Nathan Catt and Kane Palma-Newport in the front row, with the powerful pairing of Matt Garvey and Dave Attwood behind them in the engine room. Tom Ellis on the openside, Guy Mercer on the blindside and Zach Mercer coming in at number eight form the back row.
Unavailable for selection: Nick Auterac, Luke Charteris, Chris Cook, David Denton, Charlie Ewels, Taulupe Faletau, Robbie Fruean, George Ford, Kahn Fotuali’i, Jonathan Joseph, Francois Louw, Rhys Priestland, David Sisi, Elliott Stooke, Henry Thomas, Anthony Watson.
15. Tom Homer
14. Semesa Rokoduguni
13. Max Clark
12. Ben Tapuai
11. Aled Brew
10. Dan Bowden
9. Darren Allinson
1. Nathan Catt
2. Tom Dunn
3. Kane Palma-Newport
4. Matt Garvey ( c )
5. Dave Attwood
6. Tom Ellis
7. Guy Mercer
8. Zach Mercer
Replacements
16. Ross Batty
17. Beno Obano
18. Max Lahiff
19. Paul Grant
20. Levi Douglas
21. Will Homer
22. Adam Hastings
23. Matt Banahan
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Friday, 25 November 2016
Thursday, 17 November 2016
Bath Rugby team to face Bristol Rugby
Max Clark and Taulupe Faletau both make their return from injury tomorrow night as Bath Rugby return to Aviva Premiership action against their nearest rivals, Bristol Rugby at the Recreation Ground, kick-off 19.45.
Faletau, who was released by Wales to train with Bath and be available for selection this week, starts at number eight, with Guy Mercer on the openside and Tom Ellis on the blindside.
Elsewhere in the pack Elliott Stooke partners Matt Garvey in the engine room, with Nathan Catt and Kane Palma-Newport scrumming down in the front row either side of Ross Batty at hooker.
Clark returns to the midfield at outside centre, Matt Banahan linking up with him at number 12. Welsh duo Darren Allinson and Rhys Priestland, who is named as co-captain for the game, continue their half-back partnership, whilst Darren Atkins and Jack Wilson are named on the wings. Tom Homer completes the line-up from fullback.
From the bench, Tom Dunn could make his 50th appearance if called upon, and Australian centre, Ben Tapuai, who arrived at the Club this week, could make his debut.
Speaking ahead of the game, Todd Blackadder said: “We can’t wait to get out there on Friday, and it’s great to have Taulupe Faletau and Max Clark back amongst the mix – we’ve actually had a bit of a selection headache this week, which was an interesting change for us! We’ve got to pick ourselves back up after the disappointing start to the Anglo-Welsh Cup campaign and get back on the horse for this next block of crucial Aviva Premiership games. We know how much this game means to our supporters, and we’re going to do all we can to make sure they leave the Rec with a smile on their face tomorrow night.
“Henry Thomas is unavailable due to the knee injury he picked up against Scarlets. It seemed like a pretty innocuous bang at the time, but it looks like he’ll be out for the rest of the season. We’re really disappointed for him - he’d been playing some great rugby, but our medical team will do the best job in looking after him and getting him back on the pitch when he’s ready.”
Unavailable for selection: Dave Attwood, Nick Auterac, Luke Charteris, Chris Cook, David Denton, Charlie Ewels, George Ford, Kahn Fotuali’i, Jonathan Joseph, Francois Louw, Semesa Rokoduguni, David Sisi, Henry Thomas, Anrthony Watson, Jeff Williams.
15. Tom Homer
14. Darren Atkins
13. Max Clark
12. Matt Banahan
11. Jack Wilson
10. Rhys Priestland (co-capt.)
9. Darren Allinson
1. Nathan Catt
2. Ross Batty
3. Kane Palma-Newport
4. Elliott Stooke
5. Matt Garvey (co-capt.)
6. Tom Ellis
7. Guy Mercer
8. Taulupe Faletau
Replacements:
16. Tom Dunn
17. Beno Obano
18. Max Lahiff
19. Paul Grant
20. Zach Mercer
21. Will Homer
22. Adam Hastings
23. Ben Tapuai
Follow Bath Rugby Inside Out on twitter @BathRugbyINOUT
Bath Rugby Inside Out Facebook page can be found here
Faletau, who was released by Wales to train with Bath and be available for selection this week, starts at number eight, with Guy Mercer on the openside and Tom Ellis on the blindside.
Elsewhere in the pack Elliott Stooke partners Matt Garvey in the engine room, with Nathan Catt and Kane Palma-Newport scrumming down in the front row either side of Ross Batty at hooker.
Clark returns to the midfield at outside centre, Matt Banahan linking up with him at number 12. Welsh duo Darren Allinson and Rhys Priestland, who is named as co-captain for the game, continue their half-back partnership, whilst Darren Atkins and Jack Wilson are named on the wings. Tom Homer completes the line-up from fullback.
From the bench, Tom Dunn could make his 50th appearance if called upon, and Australian centre, Ben Tapuai, who arrived at the Club this week, could make his debut.
Speaking ahead of the game, Todd Blackadder said: “We can’t wait to get out there on Friday, and it’s great to have Taulupe Faletau and Max Clark back amongst the mix – we’ve actually had a bit of a selection headache this week, which was an interesting change for us! We’ve got to pick ourselves back up after the disappointing start to the Anglo-Welsh Cup campaign and get back on the horse for this next block of crucial Aviva Premiership games. We know how much this game means to our supporters, and we’re going to do all we can to make sure they leave the Rec with a smile on their face tomorrow night.
“Henry Thomas is unavailable due to the knee injury he picked up against Scarlets. It seemed like a pretty innocuous bang at the time, but it looks like he’ll be out for the rest of the season. We’re really disappointed for him - he’d been playing some great rugby, but our medical team will do the best job in looking after him and getting him back on the pitch when he’s ready.”
Unavailable for selection: Dave Attwood, Nick Auterac, Luke Charteris, Chris Cook, David Denton, Charlie Ewels, George Ford, Kahn Fotuali’i, Jonathan Joseph, Francois Louw, Semesa Rokoduguni, David Sisi, Henry Thomas, Anrthony Watson, Jeff Williams.
15. Tom Homer
14. Darren Atkins
13. Max Clark
12. Matt Banahan
11. Jack Wilson
10. Rhys Priestland (co-capt.)
9. Darren Allinson
1. Nathan Catt
2. Ross Batty
3. Kane Palma-Newport
4. Elliott Stooke
5. Matt Garvey (co-capt.)
6. Tom Ellis
7. Guy Mercer
8. Taulupe Faletau
Replacements:
16. Tom Dunn
17. Beno Obano
18. Max Lahiff
19. Paul Grant
20. Zach Mercer
21. Will Homer
22. Adam Hastings
23. Ben Tapuai
Follow Bath Rugby Inside Out on twitter @BathRugbyINOUT
Bath Rugby Inside Out Facebook page can be found here
Friday, 4 November 2016
Bath Rugby team to face Leicester Tigers
15. Darren Atkins
14. Jeff Williams
13. Aled Brew
12. Dan Bowden
11. Jack Wilson
10. Adam Hastings
9. Will Homer
1. Beno Obano
2. Michael van Vuuren
3. Shaun Knight
4. Elliott Stooke
5. Alex Humfrey
6. Levi Douglas
7. Guy Mercer ( c )
8. Zach Mercer
Replacements
16. Gabriel Oghre
17. Max Lahiff
18. Kane Palma-Newport
19. Tom Ellis
20. Josh Bayliss
21. Darren Allinson
22. Rhys Priestland
23. Rory Jennings
Follow Bath Rugby Inside Out on twitter @BathRugbyINOUT
Bath Rugby Inside Out Facebook page can be found here
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