Bath and Saracens announce squads for PREM Rugby return, featuring England internationals

Johann van Graan’s side will host Mark McCall’s Saracens in what promises to be a thrilling Round 11 encounter under the Friday-night lights. Kick-off is scheduled for 19:45.

Bath have named a strong squad, led from scrum-half by England international and captain Ben Spencer. The front row features Beno Obano and Archie Griffin as the props, with Tom Dunn at hooker.

Quinn Roux and Charlie Ewels will anchor the second row, while the back row consists of Josh Bayliss and Miles Reid on the flanks, and Alfie Barbeary at number eight.

At half-back, Spencer is joined by Scotland vice-captain Finn Russell at fly-half, while Max Ojomoh and Ollie Lawrence continue their partnership in the centre. Will Muir and Henry Arundell will provide pace on the wings, with Tom de Glanville completing the starting backline.

Bath’s replacements include front-row reinforcements Kepu Tuipulotu, Francois van Wyk, and Thomas du Toit. Ted Hill joins returning internationals Guy Pepper and Sam Underhill in the back row, while Bernard van der Linde and Santi Carreras cover the backs.

For Saracens, McCall has made seven changes to the side that last competed in Prem action almost two months ago. An entirely new front row of Eroni Mawi, Theo Dan, and Marcus Street promises firepower at the scrum. The engine room remains consistent, with Nick Isiekwe and Hugh Tizard at lock.

Theo McFarland adds lineout strength at blindside flanker, Juan Martin Gonzalez shifts to openside, and Tom Willis completes the back row at number eight.

In the backs, Ivan Van Zyl captains the team alongside Owen Farrell, who returns to playing duties after coaching during the Premiership Rugby Cup period.

Nick Tompkins and Lucio Cinti form an all-international midfield, with Rotimi Segun retaining his spot on the left wing and Tobias Elliott making his Premiership debut on the right wing following injury recovery. Elliot Daly returns from Six Nations duty at fullback. Ben Earl joins the replacements after a standout international campaign.

Director of Rugby Mark McCall expressed his excitement ahead of the trip to Bath:

“We have three big games to kick off this block, starting on Friday night against the current champions Bath, which is something to be really excited about. We have trained well this week, giving us the best opportunity to start strongly and build momentum heading into an important set of fixtures.”

Bath Rugby: 15 Tom de Glanville, 14 Henry Arundell, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Max Ojomoh, 11 Will Muir, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben Spencer (c); 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Archie Griffin, 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Charlie Ewels, 6 Josh Bayliss, 7 Miles Reid, 8 Alfie Barbeary

Replacements: 16 Kepu Tuipulotu, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Archie Griffin, 19 Ted Hill, 20 Guy Pepper, 21 Bernard van der Linde, 22 Santi Carreras, 23 Sam Underhill

Saracens: 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Tobias Elliott, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Rotimi Segun, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Ivan van Zyl (c); 1 Eroni Mawi, 2 Theo Dan, 3 Marcus Street, 4 Nick Isiekwe, 5 Hugh Tizard, 6 Theo McFarland, 7 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 8 Tom Willis

Replacements: 16 James Hadfield, 17 Alex O'Driscoll, 18 Marco Riccioni, 19 Andy Onyeama-Christie, 20 Ben Earl, 21 Gareth Simpson, 22 Fergus Burke, 23 Max Malins