Table-topping Team Bath host fellow high-fliers Cardiff Met as BUCS Super Rugby returns to University STV
Team Bath men’s 1st XV return to BUCS Super Rugby action after a two-week break tonight (Wednesday, 6.30pm), looking to secure a fifth successive win as they play host to Varsity rivals Cardiff Met.
The Blue & Gold, sponsored by Fulkers and MJ Church, go into the match as league leaders following their excellent run of form in October.
However, four teams – including Cardiff Met – are just a point adrift of Team Bath and tonight’s fixture at the University of Bath Sports Training Village is sure to be a closely-contested affair.
Tom Doughty, fresh from making his first-team debut for Bath Rugby in the Premiership Rugby Cup against Newcastle Falcons last week, once again captains Team Bath.
Hugo Stiles starts at full-back and Finn Murphy returns on the win, while the only changes among the forwards sees James Catlin return at number eight and Jack Kenningham move to blindside flanker.
Utility back Will Stride is also set to make his BUCS Super Rugby debut for Team Bath after being named among the replacements.
Entry is free to spectators, as always, so come along and get behind the Blue & Gold.
Tonight’s teams
Team Bath starting XV: 15 Hugo Stiles, 14 Finn Murphy, 13 Will Hughes, 12 Alex Nisbett, 11 Brandon Bellamin, 10 Alex Burrage, 9 Ed Rimmer; 1 George Cave, 2 Tom Doughty (c), 3 Kieran Verdan, 4 Kas Eelman, 5 Jordan Martin, 6 Jack Kenningham, 7 Chris Barry, 8 James Catlin. Replacements: 16 James Hadfield, 17 Austin Hay, 18 Simone Ngeng, 19 Tom Ireland-Life, 20 Josh Lilly, 21 George Wootton, 22 Miles Gilbert, 23 Will Stride.
Cardiff Met starting XV: 15 Tom Benjamin, 14 Chris Lewis, 13 Luke Northmere, 12 Jack Wright, 11 George Gladding, 10 Russell Bennett, 9 Matt Marsh; 1 Sam Cochrane, 2 Jack Samuel, 3 Harry Seward, 4 Jac Arthur (c), 5 Edoardo Balocco, 6 Will Gibson, 7 Dawid Rubasniak, 8 Scott Harvey. Replacements: 16 Shawn Howard, 17 Dan Kennett, 18 Olly Andrews, 19 Tom Pearson, 20 Aled Ward, 21 Laurie Essenhigh, 22 Harry Johnston, 23 Barrie Karea.
Referee: Jordan Way.
Assistant referees: Charlie Gayther, Oli Carey.
