Van Graan names Bath side for Euro final

Bath’s Head of Rugby Johann van Graan has named his team to face Lyon Rugby in the final of the EPCR Challenge Cup at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium (kick-off 20:00, BST).

Bath’s route to the Welsh capital saw them face French side Pau away in the knockouts followed by neighbours Gloucester Rugby at The Rec before a trip north to Scotland and a win against Edinburgh Rugby in the semi-final.

Van Graan has made four changes to the starting lineup from his side’s 43-15 Premiership victory over Leicester Tigers last weekend.

Prop Will Stuart comes into the front row alongside Beno Obano and hooker Tom Dunn, who last week set a new club record for the most Premiership appearances (184) in a Bath jersey.

Partnering up in the second row are locks Charlie Ewels and Quinn Roux.

Miles Reid returns to the back row as No.8 with flankers Ted Hill and Sam Underhill either side of the scrum wearing the 6 and 7 jerseys, respectively.

Captain Ben Spencer and Finn Russell are the half-backs with Max Ojomoh coming into the starting XV as outside centre alongside Will Butt.

Will Muir and Joe Cokanasiga will occupy the wings with Tom de Glanville in at fullback.

The impact front rowers feature hooker Niall Annett and props Francois van Wyk and Thomas du Toit.

Ross Molony, Guy Pepper and Alfie Barbeary are the other forwards ready to go as impacts from the bench. Tom Carr-Smith and Ciaran Donoghue are the replacement backs.

TEAM

Bath Rugby Starting XV: 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Will Stuart, 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Charlie Ewels, 6 Ted Hill, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Miles Reid, 9 Ben Spencer (c), 10 Finn Russell, 11 Will Muir, 12 Will Butt, 13 Max Ojomoh, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 15 Tom de Glanville

Replacements: 16 Niall Annett, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Ross Molony, 20 Guy Pepper, 21 Tom Carr-Smith, 22 Ciaran Donoghue, 23 Alfie Barbeary

MATCH DETAILS

Fixture: Lyon Rugby v Bath Rugby
Date: Friday 23 May 2025
Time: 20:00
Location: Principality Stadium
Competition: EPCR Challenge Cup
Round: Final
Coverage: X (written commentary), BBC Radio Bristol & Somerset, Premier Sports

Referee: Hollie Davidson (SCO)

Assistant Referees: Referees Gianluca Gnecchi (ITA) & Eoghan Cross (IRE)

TMO: Mike Adamson (SCO)