Van Graan rotates squad for trip to Benetton

December 13, 2024
342
Ultimate Rugby

In their first away trip of the Investec Champions Cup campaign, Bath Rugby head to Treviso to take on Benetton Rugby after a narrow defeat in Round 1 against Stade Rochelais.

Evidencing the depth of his squad, Head of Rugby, Johann van Graan changes all but one of his forward pack, seeing Francois van Wyk, Niall Annett and Vilikesa Sela start in the front row.

This will be young Sela’s first European appearance after making his Premiership debut earlier this season.

Ewan Richards, who captained Bath’s Premiership Rugby Cup team this season, and Ross Molony are named in the second row.

Josh Bayliss and Miles Reid, who takes the captaincy, will feature across the back row, with fellow Bath Rugby Academy alumni, Ethan Staddon, earning himself a European debut.

Louis Schreuder will play scrum-half, seeing a return to the field for Orlando Bailey at 10.

Across the back line, Ruaridh McConnochie and Regan Grace will man the wide channels, with this also being Grace’s first European appearance.

Cameron Redpath and Max Ojomoh pair up in the centre, with Tom de Glanville completing the starting XV at full back.

The bench features three more European debuts for Kepu Tuipulotu, Tom Carr-Smith and Louie Hennessey, all three of them coming through the Bath Rugby Academy.

Tuipulotu is joined by Arthur Cordwell and the experienced Thomas du Toit in the replacement front row.

Ted Hill, Quinn Roux and Jaco Coetzee will provide impact from the bench.

The game takes place at Stadio Monigo di Treviso, kicking off on Sunday 15 December at 13:00 (GMT).

TEAMS

Benetton Rugby: to follow

Bath Rugby: 1 Francois van Wyk, 2 Niall Annett, 3 Vilikesa Sela, 4 Ewan Richards, 5 Ross Molony, 6 Josh Bayliss, 7 Ethan Staddon, 8 Miles Reid ©, 9 Louis Schreuder, 10 Orlando Bailey, 11 Ruaridh McConnochie, 12 Cameron Redpath, 13 Max Ojomoh, 14 Regan Grace, 15 Tom de Glanville

Replacements: 16 Kepu Tuipulotu, 17 Arthur Cordwell, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Quinn Roux, 20 Ted Hill, 21 Tom Carr-Smith, 22 Louie Hennessey, 23 Jaco Coetzee

MATCH DETAILS

Fixture: Benetton Rugby v Bath Rugby
Date: Sunday 15 December 2024
Time: 13:00 (GMT)
Location: Stadio Monigo di Treviso
Competition: Investec Champions Cup
Round: Pool Stage, Round 2
Coverage: Premier Sports and X (written commentary)