Bath name side for Challenge Cup semi-final
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Head of Rugby Johann van Graan has named his matchday 23 to face Edinburgh Rugby in the EPCR Challenge Cup semi-final this weekend (May 3, kick-off 15:00).
Bath Rugby go into Saturday’s match at the Hive Stadium looking to secure a place in their first European final since 2014.
The front row sees props Beno Obano and Thomas du Toit lining up either side of hooker Tom Dunn.
Quinn Roux, who scored in last weekend’s Premiership win against Newcastle Falcons, and Charlie Ewels are a familiar pairing in the second row.
The back row sees flankers Guy Pepper and Sam Underhill, another try-scorer last weekend, being joined by Miles Reid at No.8.
Scrum-half and captain Ben Spencer returns to lead the side alongside Finn Russell at fly-half.
Will Butt and Cameron Redpath continue their partnership as the two centres.
Will Muir is back in a Bath jersey after the winger suffered an HIA in the Premiership game against Exeter Chiefs.
Van Graan is also able to select Joe Cokanasiga on the opposite wing after his recovery from injury.
Tom de Glanville completes the starting XV at fullback.
Ready to go when called upon from the bench, hooker Niall Annett and props Francois van Wyk and Will Stuart are the front row replacements.
Ross Molony, Ted Hill and Alfie Barbeary are the other impact forwards.
Louis Schreuder and Ciaran Donoghue, who was named Player of the Match in the game against Falcons last weekend, are the replacement backs in a 6-2 split.
TEAM
Bath Rugby Starting XV: 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Thomas du Toit, 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Charlie Ewels, 6 Guy Pepper, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Miles Reid, 9 Ben Spencer ©, 10 Finn Russell, 11 Will Muir, 12 Will Butt, 13 Cameron Redpath, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 15 Tom de Glanville
Replacements: 16 Niall Annett, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Ross Molony, 20 Ted Hill, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Ciaran Donoghue, 23 Alfie Barbeary
MATCH DETAILS
Fixture: Edinburgh Rugby v Bath Rugby
Date: Saturday 3 May 2025
Time: 15:00
Location: The Hive
Competition: EPCR Challenge Cup
Round: semi-final
Coverage: X (written commentary), BBC Radio Bristol & Somerset, Premier Sports
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
Assistant Referees: Ludovic Cayre (Fra) & Craig Evans (Wal)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
