Beech and Bell come in to start for Bath Rugby

Posted on Mar 2, 2012 in Bath, English Rugby, Premiership

Bath Rugby make just two changes to the starting line-up that secured victory over Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park last weekend, as they prepare to face Worcester Warriors in the Round 17 Aviva Premiership Rugby match at the Recreation Ground on Saturday, kick-off 2.15pm.

Both changes are in the front row, with Charlie Beech coming in at loosehead and Duncan Bell starting at tighthead. They scrum down in the front row with Lee Mears, who starts at hooker.

Dave Attwood and Ryan Caldwell continue their partnership in the second row, with Ben Skirving, Francois Louw and Simon Taylor completing the pack.

The back line remains the same, with Michael Claassens and Tom Heathcote controlling the game from the half-backs, Olly Barkley and Matt Carraro teaming up in the centres, and Matt Banahan and Tom Biggs out wide on the wings. Sam Vesty completes the starting XV at fullback.

There are also changes in the front row replacements, with Pieter Dixon, David Flatman and Kane Palma-Newport all being named on the bench.

Bath Rugby team to face Worcester Warriors
15. Sam Vesty
14. Matt Banahan
13. Matt Carraro
12. Olly Barkley
11. Tom Biggs
10. Tom Heathcote
9. Michael Claassens
1. Charlie Beech
2. Lee Mears
3. Duncan Bell
4. Dave Attwood
5. Ryan Caldwell
6. Ben Skirving
7. Francois Louw (c)
8. Simon Taylor

Replacements
16. Pieter Dixon
17. David Flatman
18. Kane Palma-Newport
19. Guy Mercer
20. Carl Fearns
21. Chris Cook
22. Olly Woodburn
23. Jack Cuthbert

Carraro returns to starting line-up for Bath Rugby

Posted on Feb 24, 2012 in Bath, English Rugby, Premiership

Matt Carraro returns to the starting line-up for Bath Rugby as they look to get back to winning ways in the Aviva Premiership away to Exeter Chiefs on Saturday, kick-off 6.00pm.
Carraro is named at outside centre, with Olly Barkley on the inside. Matt Banahan shifts to the right wing, with Tom Biggs, who scored a hat trick on Bath’s last visit to Sandy Park, starting on the left. Sam Vesty lines-up at fullback, as Tom Heathcote and Michael Claassens continue their half-back partnership.
There is just one change in the forwards, with Dave Attwood coming back into the second row to partner Ryan Caldwell. Nathan Catt and Anthony Perenise scrum down either side of Lee Mears in the front row, and Ben Skirving, Francois Louw and Simon Taylor complete the pack.
There is also a return to the matchday squad for the first time since September for Carl Fearns, who is named amongst the replacements.
Bath Rugby team to face Exeter Chiefs

15. Sam Vesty
14. Matt Banahan
13. Matt Carraro
12. Olly Barkley
11. Tom Biggs
10. Tom Heathcote
9. Michael Claassens
1. Nathan Catt
2. Lee Mears
3. Anthony Perenise
4. Dave Attwood
5. Ryan Caldwell
6. Ben Skirving
7. Francois Louw (c)
8. Simon Taylor

Replacements

16. Ross Batty
17. Charlie Beech
18. Duncan Bell
19. Guy Mercer
20. Carl Fearns
21. Chris Cook
22. Olly Woodburn
23. Jack Cuthbert

Stephen Donald given RFU endorsement to play in England

Posted on Aug 15, 2011 in English Rugby

Stephen Donald has been granted Governing Body Endorsement to play rugby in England following a Rugby Football Union appeal hearing.

The panel of Jeremy Summers (chairman), RFU Rugby Operations Director Rob Andrew and Premiership Rugby Head of Academies and Development Corin Palmer upheld Bath Rugby’s appeal against the initial decision made last month.

Donald, who has won 22 caps for New Zealand, can now apply to the UK Border Agency for a visa.

In upholding the appeal and to ensure that the player contributes significantly to the development of the game at the top level in the country, the panel set out four requirements for the player to fulfil.

• That he should mentor key Bath Rugby academy players
• That he should assist in the development of the club’s elite England players
• That he should play a leading role in growing Bath Rugby’s relationship with the Rugby Players’ Association’s Player Development Programme
• That he should assist Bath Rugby in developing its brand within the local community

An RFU Spokesman said: “The panel accepted that Stephen Donald is an internationally established player of the highest calibre who can play an important role in the development of the game at the top level in this country.”

Roberts to lead Bath Rugby for final

Posted on Aug 4, 2011 in Bath

Bath Rugby have retained the majority of their youthful squad for tomorrow night’s J.P. Morgan Asset Management Premiership Rugby 7s series final at the Twickenham Stoop.

Paul Roberts will once again captain the side, and is joined in the backs by Freddie Gabbitass, Matt Keyte and Tom Heathcote. JJ Kilmartin and Richard Lane also return, having showed their impressive pace to full-effect in the first round at the Recreation Ground.

Chris Cook and James Tyas, previously unavailable due to their time with England U20 and Scotland U20 respectively at the Junior World Championship, join the squad. Cook will provide the link between forwards and backs at scrum-half, whilst Tyas will work alongside Will Skuse and Joe Buckle up front.

Also new to the side are wing Alex Brown and centre Ollie Woodburn, who will provide another burst of speed and strength to the backline.

Bath Rugby squad for the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Premiership Rugby 7s Series Final.

1. Will Skuse – Back Row/England U19
2. James Tyas – Back Row/Scotland U20
3. Joe Buckle – Back Row/England U18
4. Alex Brown – Wing
5. Freddie Gabbitass – Fly-half/England U18
6. Ollie Woodburn – Centre
7. Tom Heathcote – Fly-half/England U19
8. Matt Keyte – Scrum-half/England U18
9. Chris Cook – Scrum-half/England U18
10. Paul Roberts (Capt) – Fly-half/England Students
11. JJ Kilmartin – Fullback/England U18
12. Richard Lane – Centre

Paul Roberts captains Bath in JPM sevens

Posted on Jul 14, 2011 in Bath

Rugby returns to the Recreation Ground this Friday as the J. P. Morgan Asset Management Premiership Rugby 7s Series kicks off, with Bath Rugby hosting the first round.

Bath Rugby Academy fly half Paul Roberts, who recently represented England Students, will captain a youthful side, made up of current and new Academy players.

For the likes of Joe Buckle, Tom Baldwin, Freddie Gabbitass, Will Clemesha, Jamie-John Kilmartin and Richard Lane it will be their first time pulling on a Bath shirt and running out at the Rec, as they join the more familiar faces of Will Skuse, James Stephenson, Ben Mosses, Tom Heathcote and Matt Keyte in the squad.

The talented youngsters make up an exciting squad, with the strength and power of the forwards combining well with the pace and flair of the backs.

The up and coming stars will face teams from London Irish, Harlequins and Exeter Chiefs, with the first game between Bath and Harlequins kicking off at 7.30pm.

Gates open at 5.30pm, with a fantastic evening promised. Groovejet will be providing the musical entertainment and the ‘ESPN Big Ball Challenge’ will be running between the games – crew members will be roaming the crowd beforehand looking for participants, so keep an eye out for them if you fancy taking part!

Tickets are still available, and cost just £5 for juniors and £10 for adults, so call the Ticket Office now on 0844 448 1865 to join us for what promises to be a fast and furious evening of rugby at the Rec.

Bath Rugby squad

Will Skuse / back row / England U19
James Stephenson / back row
Joe Buckle / back row / England U18
Tom Baldwin / back row
Freddie Gabbitass / fly half / England U18
Ben Mosses / centre / England U18
Tom Heathcote / fly half / England U19
Matt Keyte / scrum half / England U18
Will Clemesha / scrum half
Paul Roberts (C) / fly half / England Students
Jamie-John Kilmartin / full back / England U18
Richard Lane / centre