PREM Rugby: Team News for Round 9 – Plenty of big selection calls made ahead of halfway mark

Friday, 02 January 2026 at 15:17

byCharlie Elliott

Round 9 of the Gallagher PREM Rugby season not only ushers in 2026 but also brings the campaign to its midpoint. As the table begins to take shape and tolerance for slip-ups narrows, the league now enters a decisive phase.

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Momentum, squad depth and consistency will carry increasing weight as attention subtly turns towards the playoff race. Here is all the team news from Round 9 of the Prem.

Friday 2 January

Bristol Bears v Sale Sharks (19:45, Ashton Gate)

Bristol Bears make nine changes for the visit of Sale Sharks as Pat Lam refreshes his squad following last weekend’s victory over Newcastle. A number of internationals return, adding power and experience across the pack and backline.

Ellis Genge starts at loosehead after a strong impact off the bench last time out, while Gabriel Oghre and Pedro Rubiolo also return to the starting XV. Joe Owen shifts into the second row to accommodate Santiago Grondona on the blindside, with captain Fitz Harding again anchoring the back row alongside Viliame Mata.

In the backs, Benhard Janse van Rensburg is recalled to midfield and academy winger Aidan Boshoff returns on the right. Louis Rees-Zammit continues at fullback after a standout two-try display, while Harry Randall and Tom Jordan combine at half-back.

Sale arrive with confidence after European success and welcome back Lions Tom Curry and Luke Cowan-Dickie. Curry replaces brother Ben at number eight, while Cowan-Dickie starts at hooker in a physical front row. Ernst van Rhyn captains the side again from openside, with Ben Bamber continuing his ever-present run in the second row.

Rob du Preez and Raffi Quirke retain half-back duties, while Arron Reed shifts to fullback in a settled back three.

Bristol Bears:

Louis Rees-Zammit, 14. Aidan Boshoff, 13. Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12. James Williams, 11. Kalaveti Ravouvou, 10. Tom Jordan, 9. Harry Randall; 1. Ellis Genge, 2. Gabriel Oghre, 3. Lovejoy Chawatama, 4. Pedro Rubiolo, 5. Joe Owen, 6. Santiago Grondona, 7. Fitz Harding ©, 8. Viliame Mata.

Replacements:

Harry Thacker, 17. Max Lahiff, 18. George Kloska, 19. George Taylor, 20. Benjamin Grondona, 21. Kieran Marmion, 22. Sam Worsley, 23. Noah Heward.

Sale Sharks:

Arron Reed, 14. Tom O’Flaherty, 13. Joe Bedlow, 12. Marius Louw, 11. Alex Wills, 10. Rob du Preez, 9. Raffi Quirke; 1. Si McIntyre, 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3. WillGriff John, 4. Tom Burrow, 5. Ben Bamber, 6. Jacques Vermeulen, 7. Ernst van Rhyn ©, 8. Tom Curry.

Replacements:

Nathan Jibulu, 17. Tumy Onasanya, 18. James Harper, 19. Hyron Andrews, 20. Dan du Preez, 21. Gus Warr, 22. Ollie Davies, 23. Tristan Woodman.

Newcastle Red Bulls v Gloucester Rugby (19:45, Kingston Park)

Newcastle hand Christian Wade his first Gallagher PREM appearance for the club as they host Gloucester in a key contest between sides close in the table. The winger, nearing the league’s all-time try-scoring record, is one of three changes following last weekend’s bonus-point defeat at Bristol.

Richard Palframan comes in at tighthead, with Murray McCallum switching to loosehead due to illness in the squad. Jamie Hodgson returns to the second row after injury, while Ollie Leatherbarrow keeps his place at number eight after scoring in consecutive matches.

The backline remains largely settled, with Brett Connon and Simón Benítez Cruz continuing their half-back partnership. Wade joins Ethan Grayson and Elliott Obatoyinbo in a lively back three, while captain George McGuigan again leads from hooker.

Gloucester, meanwhile, cope with hooker shortages by bringing in Will Crane on loan. The Cherry & Whites welcome back Deian Gwynne from suspension, while teenage centre Will Knight makes his first league start outside Seb Atkinson. Tomos Williams captains the side from scrum-half alongside Ross Byrne, with Ollie Thorley returning on the wing.

Newcastle Red Bulls:

Ethan Grayson, 14. Christian Wade, 13. Alex Hearle, 12. Sammy Arnold, 11. Elliott Obatoyinbo, 10. Brett Connon, 9. Simón Benítez Cruz; 1. Murray McCallum, 2. George McGuigan ©, 3. Richard Palframan, 4. Oscar Usher, 5. Jamie Hodgson, 6. Tom Gordon, 7. Tom Christie, 8. Ollie Leatherbarrow.

Replacements:

Ollie Fletcher, 17. Connor Hancock, 18. Luan de Bruin, 19. Finn Baker, 20. Amanaki Mafi, 21. James Elliott, 22. Boeta Chamberlain, 23. Oli Spencer.

Gloucester Rugby:

Charlie Atkinson, 14. Jack Cotgreave, 13. Will Knight, 12. Seb Atkinson, 11. Ollie Thorley, 10. Ross Byrne, 9. Tomos Williams ©; 1. Val Rapava Ruskin, 2. Will Crane, 3. Afo Fasogbon, 4. Freddie Thomas, 5. Arthur Clark, 6. Deian Gwynne, 7. Lewis Ludlow, 8. Jack Clement.

Replacements:

George Knowles, 17. Ciaran Knight, 18. Jamal Ford-Robinson, 19. Cam Jordan, 20. James Venter, 21. Mikey Austin, 22. George Barton, 23. Josh Hathaway.

Saturday 3 January

Bath Rugby v Exeter Chiefs (15:05, The Rec)

Bath begin 2026 with seven changes to their starting XV as they welcome Exeter to The Rec. Italian international Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi makes his club debut in the second row alongside Ross Molony, while Will Muir returns from injury on the left wing.

The front row of Beno Obano, Tom Dunn and Vilikesa Sela remains intact, while Alfie Barbeary starts at number eight alongside Ted Hill and Guy Pepper. Ben Spencer captains the side from scrum-half, partnering Finn Russell, with Cameron Redpath and Ollie Lawrence forming a midfield that sees Lawrence earn his 50th Bath appearance.

Exeter arrive unchanged after their win over Leicester, showing continuity and confidence. Dafydd Jenkins continues as captain in the engine room with Andrea Zambonin, while the settled back row of Hooper, Roots and Fisilau remains in place. Fergus Burke again starts at fly-half, with Henry Slade marshalling the midfield and Feyi-Waboso providing pace out wide.

Bath Rugby:

Santi Carreras, 14. Henry Arundell, 13. Ollie Lawrence, 12. Cameron Redpath, 11. Will Muir, 10. Finn Russell, 9. Ben Spencer ©; 1. Beno Obano, 2. Tom Dunn, 3. Vilikesa Sela, 4. Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi, 5. Ross Molony, 6. Ted Hill, 7. Guy Pepper, 8. Alfie Barbeary.

Replacements:

Kepu Tuipulotu, 17. Scott Kirk, 18. Thomas du Toit, 19. Quinn Roux, 20. Sam Underhill, 21. Tom Carr-Smith, 22. Louie Hennessey, 23. Arthur Green.

Exeter Chiefs:

Olly Woodburn, 14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13. Henry Slade, 12. Will Rigg, 11. Campbell Ridl, 10. Harvey Skinner, 9. Stephen Varney; 1. Scott Sio, 2. Joseph Dweba, 3. Bachuki Tchumbdaze, 4. Dafydd Jenkins ©, 5. Andrea Zambonin, 6. Tom Hooper, 7. Ethan Roots, 8. Greg Fisilau.

Replacements:

Jack Yeandle, 17. Will Goodrick-Clarke, 18. Jimmy Roots, 19. Rusi Tuima, 20. Kane James, 21. Charlie Chapman, 22. Will Haydon-Wood, 23. Dan John.

Northampton Saints v Harlequins (17:30, Franklin’s Gardens)

Northampton make nine changes as they look to maintain top spot against Harlequins. Fraser Dingwall returns to captain the side, joining Tommy Freeman in midfield, while Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith continue their established half-back partnership.

The back three remains unchanged, with George Hendy at fullback and James Ramm and Edoardo Todaro on the wings. In the pack, Danilo Fischetti and Elliot Millar Mills start at prop, while Alex Coles and JJ van der Mescht reunite in the second row. Josh Kemeny, Tom Pearson and Callum Chick complete a mobile back row.

Harlequins make five changes, including a first league start for scrum-half Lucas Friday alongside Marcus Smith. Alex Dombrandt captains from number eight, while George Turner starts at hooker. In the backs, Jarrod Evans shifts into midfield, with Cassius Cleaves and Rodrigo Isgró joining Nick David in the back three.

Northampton Saints:

George Hendy, 14. Edoardo Todaro, 13. Tommy Freeman, 12. Fraser Dingwall ©, 11. James Ramm, 10. Fin Smith, 9. Alex Mitchell; 1. Danilo Fischetti, 2. Robbie Smith, 3. Elliot Millar Mills, 4. Alex Coles, 5. JJ Van Der Mescht, 6. Josh Kemeny, 7. Tom Pearson, 8. Callum Chick.

Replacements:

Craig Wright, 17. Oliver Scola, 18. Cleopas Kundiona, 19. Ed Prowse, 20. Sam Graham, 21. Archie McParland, 22. Anthony Belleau, 23. Rory Hutchinson.

Harlequins:

Nick David, 14. Rodrigo Isgró, 13. Luke Northmore, 12. Jarrod Evans, 11. Cassius Cleaves, 10. Marcus Smith, 9. Lucas Friday; 1. Will Hobson, 2. George Turner, 3. Harry Williams, 4. Guido Petti Pagadizábal, 5. Kieran Treadwell, 6. Chandler Cunningham-South, 7. Jack Kenningham, 8. Alex Dombrandt ©.

Replacements:

Sam Riley, 17. Simon Kerrod, 18. Pedro Delgado, 19. Elliot Williams, 20. Joe Launchbury, 21. Zach Carr, 22. Will Porter, 23. Bryn Bradley.

Sunday 4 January

Leicester Tigers v Saracens (15:00, Welford Road)

Leicester welcome back Jack van Poortvliet to the starting XV for the first time since October as they host Saracens. Sam Williams earns his first league start at openside, while Orlando Bailey features in midfield. Freddie Steward again leads the back three from fullback.

The Tigers pack blends youth and experience, with James Thompson and Olly Cracknell joining Williams in the back row. Emeka Ilione returns from injury on the bench, alongside Charlie Clare and Will Wand.

Saracens make four changes, with Fergus Burke starting at fly-half and Marco Riccioni returning at tighthead. Jamie George and Rhys Carre complete an experienced front row, while Ben Earl starts at openside flanker. Nick Tompkins and Lucio Cinti continue their midfield partnership, with Elliot Daly at fullback.

Leicester Tigers:

Freddie Steward, 14. Adam Radwan, 13. Izaia Perese, 12. Orlando Bailey, 11. Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10. Billy Searle, 9. Jack van Poortvliet; 1. Nicky Smith, 2. Jamie Blamire, 3. Joe Heyes, 4. Cameron Henderson, 5. Ollie Chessum, 6. James Thompson, 7. Sam Williams, 8. Olly Cracknell.

Replacements:

Charlie Clare, 17. Tarek Haffar, 18. Will Hurd, 19. Emeka Ilione, 20. Joaquin Moro, 21. Ollie Allan, 22. Will Wand, 23. Gabriel Hamer-Webb.

Saracens:

Elliot Daly, 14. Rotimi Segun, 13. Lucio Cinti, 12. Nick Tompkins, 11. Max Malins, 10. Fergus Burke, 9. Ivan Van Zyl ©; 1. Rhys Carre, 2. Jamie George, 3. Marco Riccioni, 4. Nick Isiekwe, 5. Hugh Tizard, 6. Theo McFarland, 7. Ben Earl, 8. Tom Willis.

Replacements:

Theo Dan, 17. Eroni Mawi, 18. Marcus Street, 19. Maro Itoje, 20. Juan Martin Gonzalez, 21. Andy Onyeama-Christie, 22. Charlie Bracken, 23. Alex Lozowski.