Former England centre Billy Twelvetrees starts for Worcester Warriors' return to Sixways

Worcester become the first club to return to from their collapse, as that same 2022/23 season also brought about the demise of Premiership clubs Wasps and London Irish, along with Championship winners Jersey Reds. It's a promising sign for the future of the English club game, in the hopes that the three other clubs will be following suit in the near future.

Bath Rugby have a busy schedule ahead, with their entire squad split across two fixtures this weekend. The blue, black and whites proved last season just how well-versed their squad depth has become, as Johann van Graan's men swept up the Premiership Rugby Cup, the EPCR Challenge Cup and the Gallagher Premiership crown. Whilst the domestic English competition has been re-branded to the PREM Rugby Cup, the goal remains the same, with silverware on the minds of everyone down at the Rec.

After sitting out of the PREM Rugby Cup's opening round with a bye, Bath get their title defence up and running this weekend. Whilst half the squad heads to Worcestershire for the friendly bout against the Warriors, the other half will host Exeter Chiefs for a West Country derby. Here's all the team news for the upcoming club clashes, that are coming your way this Friday and Saturday.

Worcester Warriors return to Sixways for the first time in 1,091 days in what promises to be a landmark night for the club and its supporters. With a sell-out crowd expected, new captain Matt Rogerson will lead the side against Bath United as the Warriors continue their preparations for life in the newly rebranded second tier, The Champ.

Rogerson, who starts at No.8, lines up in a back row alongside Tim Anstee and four-capped England flanker Matt Kvesic. He spoke this week about the significance of his appointment and the buzz around the club: “It’s a huge honour for me, Evs asked me to go away and think about it but it was a pretty easy decision to be honest. There’s a real good buzz around here at the moment – the players, the group of staff we’ve assembled is really exciting and I think we can do good things.”

The Warriors’ pack also features James Tyas and Owain Evans at lock, with Billy Keast, Archie Vanes and Tim Hoyt forming the front row. Lloyd Williams and Tiff Eden link up at half-back, with 22-capped England midfielder Billy Twelvetrees and Tom Seabrook in midfield. The back three of Josh Bassett, Siva Naulago and Louis Brown completes the starting XV.

Head coach Matt Everard has opted for an extended bench of 13 players, including former Bath duo Khalik Kareem and James Short. He praised his new captain’s influence, saying: “Matt leads by example on and off the pitch, both in the way he talks to the group but also how he conducts himself. Leadership isn’t just on one player and Matt has a fantastic leadership group around him with hugely experienced players for him to utilise.”

Bath United, meanwhile, field a strong side captained by England scrum-half Ben Spencer. He partners Max Ojomoh at half-back, while Henry Arundell continues at full-back after scoring three tries in two pre-season matches. Will Muir and Joe Cokanasiga start on the wings, with Cameron Redpath and Ollie Lawrence forming a powerful midfield. In the pack, Ted Hill partners Charlie Ewels at lock, while Josh Bayliss is named at No.8.

Bath Rugby begin their Premiership Rugby Cup defence with a developmental squad, underlining their commitment to giving young talent competitive experience. Head coach Johann van Graan has again entrusted lock Ewan Richards with the captaincy, with the 22-year-old second row lining up alongside Harvey Cuckson in the engine room. Richards led Bath to Cup glory last season, when around 50 players – many of them debutants – featured in the campaign.

The front row sees hooker Jasper Spandler joined by props Scott Kirk and Kieran Verden, while Ethan Staddon – who was named Pol Roger Performance of the Match against Glasgow Warriors in pre-season – gets the nod at blindside flanker. Thomson Cowan and Arthur Green complete a dynamic back row.

Half-back pairing James Linegar and Tom Carr-Smith will steer Bath around the field, with Linegar making his club debut. Will Butt and Louie Hennessey form the midfield, while Jack Woods starts at full-back with Tyler Offiah and Austin Emens on the wings.

Among the replacements are three more debutants – hooker Max Pearce, prop Alfie Griffin, and back row Alex Ridgway – while Neil le Roux and Charlie Griffin provide cover in the backs.

Exeter Chiefs, meanwhile, name a side featuring the return of Henry Slade and Georgian prop Bachuki Tchumbadze, both coming back from short-term injuries. Captain Jack Yeandle starts at hooker in a settled forward pack that includes Rusi Tuima and Lewis Pearson at lock, Christ Tshiunza and Ethan Roots on the flanks, and Ross Vintcent at No.8. Harvey Skinner and Stephen Varney combine at half-back, with Slade joining Ben Hammersley in midfield. Josh Hodge and Dan John both return to the back three.

Director of Rugby Rob Baxter acknowledged that fine margins cost his team in last weekend’s narrow loss at Kingsholm. “The game at Gloucester came down to very fine margins in the end, so we have to discuss finding ways to convert opportunities to ensure that those close games go our way,” Baxter said. “The players have been very engaged in discussing the result this week, so we’ve worked through the errors, recognised them and moved to get ourselves on track.”