PREM Rugby: Team News for Round 2 - Liam Williams to make Newcastle Red Bulls debut

Bath Rugby open their home campaign at The Rec with a mouth-watering clash against Sale Sharks, both sides buoyed by bonus-point victories in Round One. Johann van Graan’s men showed resilience at Harlequins, overturning an early deficit to run out 47–31 winners. With Henry Arundell marking his Bath Prem debut with two tries and the pack providing four more, Bath looked every inch like defending champions despite being without their Lions contingent.

Continuity is the theme for van Graan, who names an unchanged backline from last week’s triumph. Tom Dunn, Beno Obano and Vilikesa Sela, all try scorers at The Stoop, retain their places in the front row. Charlie Ewels and Quinn Roux combine in the engine room, while a lively back row of Ted Hill, Guy Pepper and Miles Reid offers dynamism at the breakdown.

Sale travel south having overcome Gloucester 27–10 with a powerful second-half display. Hyron Andrews, who sealed the bonus point against the Cherry and Whites, returns to the second row, allowing captain Ernst van Rhyn to shift to the back row. Sam Bedlow steps in at inside centre for the injured Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, while George Ford again pulls the strings at fly-half.

Alex Sanderson has warned his side against fading late at The Rec, where Sale have faltered in recent seasons. With both teams unbeaten, Friday’s encounter promises to set the tone for the title race.

Bath Rugby: 15 Tom de Glanville, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Cameron Redpath, 11 Henry Arundell, 10 Max Ojomoh, 9 Ben Spencer; 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Vilikesa Sela, 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Charlie Ewels, 6 Ted Hill, 7 Guy Pepper, 8 Miles Reid

Replacements: 16 Dan Frost, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Archie Griffin, 19 Ross Molony, 20 Sam Underhill, 21 Tom Carr-Smith, 22 Will Butt, 23 Alfie Barbeary

Sale Sharks: 15 Joe Carpenter, 14 Tom Roebuck, 13 Rob du Preez, 12 Sam Bedlow, 11 Tom O'Flaherty, 10 George Ford, 9 Gus Warr; 1 Bevan Rodd, 2 Nathan Jibulu, 3 Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 4 Ben Bamber, 5 Hyron Andrews, 6 Ernst van Rhyn, 7 Ben Curry, 8 Sam Dugdale

Replacements: 16 Ethan Caine, 17 Simon McIntyre, 18 WillGriff John, 19 Tom Burrow, 20 Tristan Woodman, 21 Dom Hanson, 22 Arron Reed, 23 Marius Louw

Exeter Chiefs return to Sandy Park for their home opener looking to build on the dramatic 33–33 draw they salvaged at Franklin’s Gardens in Round One. Having trailed Northampton 33–7 at half-time, Rob Baxter’s side produced a remarkable second-half comeback, spearheaded by Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Ross Vintcent. The lesson, Baxter says, is about “resilience across longer periods of the game” as Chiefs target a first league win of the season.

Captain Dafydd Jenkins returns to the XV and partners Andrea Zambonin in the second row, with Ethan Roots slotting into the back row alongside Greg Fisilau and Vintcent, whose brace last weekend underlined his finishing prowess. Stephen Varney and Harvey Skinner continue at half-back, with Henry Slade and Ben Hammersley paired in midfield. Feyi-Waboso and Paul Brown-Bampoe again provide Exeter’s threat out wide, while Dan John comes in at full-back for the suspended Josh Hodge.

Newcastle Red Bulls, meanwhile, begin their longest away trip of the season with renewed optimism after a spirited first-half showing against Saracens in Round One. Liam Williams makes his highly anticipated debut at full-back, offering world-class experience and security under the high ball. Ethan Grayson and Connor Doherty form a fresh midfield partnership, while Freddie Clarke is promoted to start in the second row. Head coach Alan Dickens has urged his side to be “more clinical at the set-piece” after costly errors in their opener.

Both sides are chasing their first league win of the season, promising an intriguing clash at Sandy Park.

Exeter Chiefs: 15 Dan John, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Ben Hammersley, 11 Paul Brown-Bampoe, 10 Harvey Skinner, 9 Stephen Varney; 1 Will Goodrick-Clarke, 2 Joseph Dweba, 3 Josh Iosefa-Scott, 4 Dafydd Jenkins (c), 5 Andrea Zambonin, 6 Ethan Roots, 7 Greg Fisilau, 8 Ross Vintcent

Replacements: 16 Jack Yeandle, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Bachuki Tchumbadze, 19 Rusi Tuima, 20 Lewis Pearson, 21 Kane James, 22 Charlie Chapman, 23 Nick Lilley

Newcastle Red Bulls: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Oli Spencer, 13 Connor Doherty, 12 Ethan Grayson, 11 Alex Hearle, 10 Brett Connon, 9 James Elliott; 1 Murray McCallum, 2 George McGuigan (captain), 3 Luan de Bruin, 4 Jamie Hodgson, 5 Freddie Clarke, 6 Cameron Neild, 7 Tom Gordon, 8 Amanaki Mafi

Replacements: 16 Ollie Fletcher, 17 Adam Brocklebank, 18 Richard Palframan, 19 Oscar Usher, 20 Fergus Lee-Warner, 21 Jack Dickens, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Elliott Obatoyinbo

Leicester Tigers welcome Harlequins to Welford Road in their first home fixture of the Gallagher Prem season, boosted by the return of captain Ollie Chessum. The England lock resumes leadership duties as Geoff Parling makes four changes to the starting XV, looking to build momentum after a spirited but narrow opening-round performance.

Joaquin Moro earns his first Premiership start in the back row, while Solomone Kata is promoted to midfield to partner Joseph Woodward. In the pack, Charlie Clare replaces Jamie Blamire at hooker, adding grit and experience to the set-piece. Wales international Tommy Reffell features among the replacements, and Archie van der Flier is poised for a Premiership debut if called upon. Parling emphasised the “leadership and intent” the incoming players will bring, noting the importance of home advantage at Welford Road.

Harlequins arrive in the Midlands with continuity up front and subtle changes in the backline. Jamie Benson starts at inside centre, while Cassius Cleaves replaces the rested Cadan Murley on the wing. The Quins pack remains unchanged, anchored by Fin Baxter, Jack Walker, and Harry Williams, with Alex Dombrandt again captaining from No.8. Coach Jason Gilmore highlighted Leicester’s “squeeze” game, warning of their aerial pressure and forward-driven approach. For Quins, composure and defensive improvements will be key to taking points away from home.

Leicester Tigers: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 Solomone Kata, 12 Joseph Woodward, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Orlando Bailey, 9 Jack van Poortvliet; 1 Nicky Smith, 2 Charlie Clare, 3 Joe Heyes, 4 Cameron Henderson, 5 Ollie Chessum (c), 6 Joaquin Moro, 7 Emeka Ilione, 8 Olly Cracknell

Replacements: 16 Jamie Blamire, 17 Archie van der Flier, 18 Will Hurd, 19 James Thompson, 20 Tommy Reffell, 21 Tom Whiteley, 22 Billy Searle, 23 Will Wand

Harlequins: 15 Tyrone Green, 14 Nick David, 13 Oscar Beard, 12 Jamie Benson, 11 Cassius Cleaves, 10 Jarrod Evans, 9 Will Porter; 1 Fin Baxter, 2 Jack Walker, 3 Harry Williams, 4 Chandler Cunningham-South, 5 Kieran Treadwell, 6 Jack Kenningham, 7 Will Evans, 8 Alex Dombrandt (c)

Replacements: 16 Sam Riley, 17 Simon Kerrod, 18 Titi Lamositele, 19 Jonny Green, 20 Zach Carr, 21 Max Green, 22 Sean Kerr, 23 Cameron Anderson

Saracens host Bristol Bears at StoneX Stadium in a hotly anticipated Round Two clash, with both sides eyeing early-season momentum. The reigning champions handed debuts to several young stars in Round One and continue to blend experience with emerging talent, while Bristol arrive buoyed by the firepower of their new signings.

Ivan van Zyl captains Saracens from scrum-half, partnering Fergus Burke at fly-half. England internationals Max Malins and Owen Farrell line up in the backline, joined by Nick Tompkins and exciting youngster Jack Bracken, who retains his spot after an assured display last weekend. Up front, Rhys Carre, Theo Dan, and Marco Riccioni form a formidable front row, with Tom Willis anchoring the pack at No.8. The bench includes further youthful promise in Charlie Bracken and Noah Caluori, while seasoned forwards Eroni Mawi and Alec Clarey bring muscle.

Bristol, meanwhile, hand a captain’s armband to Jake Woolmore as they prepare to unleash Louis Rees-Zammit on the wing. Kalaveti Ravouvou adds strike power out wide, while Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Joe Jenkins combine in midfield. At fly-half, Tom Jordan partners experienced scrum-half Kieran Marmion. The back row features powerhouse Viliame Mata alongside Luka Ivanishvili and Joe Owen, giving the Bears physicality at the breakdown. Harry Thacker and Steven Luatua headline a strong bench unit, capable of swinging momentum late on.

Saracens: 15 Max Malins 14 Jack Bracken, 13 Nick Tompkins, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Rotimi Segun, 10 Fergus Burke, 9 Ivan van Zyl (c); 1 Rhys Carre, 2 Theo Dan, 3 Marco Riccioni, 4 Harry Wilson, 5 Hugh Tizard, 6 Nick Isiekwe, 7 Andy Onyeama-Christie, 8 Tom Willis

Replacements: 16 Eoghan Clarke, 17 Eroni Mawi, 18 Alec Clarey, 19 Olamide Sodeke, 20 Charlie West, 21 Charlie Bracken, 22 Cameron Hutchison, 23 Noah Caluori

Bristol Bears: 15 Josh Carrington, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 13 Joe Jenkins, 12 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 11 Kalaveti Ravouvou, 10 Tom Jordan, 9 Kieran Marmion; 1 Jake Woolmore (c), 2 Gabriel Oghre, 3 Lovejoy Chawatama, 4 James Dun, 5 Joe Batley, 6 Joe Owen, 7 Luka Ivanishvili, 8 Viliame Mata

Replacements: 16 Harry Thacker, 17 Sam Grahamslaw, 18 George Kloska, 19 Steven Luatua, 20 Ben Grondona, 21 Max Pepper, 22 Sam Worsley, 23 Aidan Boshoff

Callum Chick will captain Northampton Saints for the second time this season as they travel to Kingsholm for Round Two of the Gallagher Premiership. Chick, who led Saints to a 49-34 Rugby Cup victory over Saracens in his first outing as skipper, will aim to continue his strong start in North London against Gloucester.

Northampton are seeking their first away league win since April, when they beat Newcastle Red Bulls 35-24, and will look to build momentum on the road. Chick starts at No.8, flanked by Angus Scott-Young and Tom Pearson. In the second row, JJ Van Der Mescht makes his league debut alongside Alex Coles, while Henry Walker and Elliot Millar Mills join Emmanuel Iyogun in the front row.

In the backs, Tom Litchfield moves to inside centre to make way for Scotland international Rory Hutchinson at outside centre. Anthony Belleau returns at fly-half, partnering Archie McParland at scrum-half. The back three sees James Martin make his Premiership debut on the wing alongside Edoardo Todaro and fullback George Hendy, who led all players in Round One for defenders beaten.

On the bench, Cleopas Kundiona could make his club debut, while young fullback James Pater returns to Kingsholm, where he made his senior debut last term at 17.

For Gloucester, Ciaran Knight and Seb Blake return to the front row with Afolabi Fasogbon. Freddie Thomas and Cam Jordan pack down in the second row, with Josh Basham, James Venter, and Jack Mann completing the back row. Tomos Williams captains from scrum-half, with Ross Byrne at fly-half. In the midfield, Will Joseph partners Seb Atkinson, while Ollie Thorley, Ben Loader, and Charlie Atkinson form the back three.

Gloucester Rugby: 15 Charlie Atkinson, 14 Ben Loader, 13 Will Joseph, 12 Seb Atkinson, 11 Ollie Thorley, 10 Ross Byrne, 9 Tomos Williams (C); 1 Ciaran Knight, 2 Seb Blake, 3 Afolabi Fasogbon, 4 Freddie Thomas, 5 Cam Jordan, 6 Josh Basham, 7 James Venter, 8 Jack Mann

Replacements: 16 Jack Innard, 17 Archie McArthur, 18 Kirill Gotovtsev, 19 Matias Alemanno, 20 Hugh Bokenham, 21 Harry Taylor, 22 Caolan Englefield, 23 Josiah Edwards-Giraud

Northampton Saints: 15 George Hendy, 14 Edoardo Todaro, 13 Rory Hutchinson. 12 Tom Litchfield 11 James Martin, 10 Anthony Belleau, 9 Archie McParland; 1 Emmanuel Iyogun, 2 Henry Walker, 3 Elliot Millar Mills, 4 Alex Coles, 5 JJ Van Der Mescht, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 7 Tom Pearson, 8 Callum Chick (c)

Replacements: 16 Robbie Smith, 17 Danilo Fischetti, 18 Cleopas Kundiona, 19 Tom Lockett, 20 Fyn Brown, 21 Jonny Weimann, 22 Toby Thame, 23 James Pater