Bath v Exeter: Scotland star edges England international for jersey while Chief returns after 16 months out

Johann van Graan’s Bath side look to build on their momentum from their victory in the opening round when they host Exeter Chiefs at the Rec on Friday.

Naming his team, Van Graan selects Beno Obano and Will Stuart as his starting props while Tom Dunn will start at hooker and complete the front-row.

In the second-row, Quinn Roux is selected alongside Charlie Ewels who captains Bath.

Ewan Richards starts as blindside flanker, joined by Guy Pepper on the openside, with Dan du Preez completing the forwards at number eight.

Lining up as this week’s half-back pairing, Bernard van der Linde and Finn Russell start at 9 and 10 respectively.

Cameron Redpath gets his first start of the season at inside centre, joining Ollie Lawrence who starts in the 13 channel.

Tom de Glanville and Joe Cokanasiga remain on the wings and welcome Ciaran Donoghue into the fold to complete the starting XV.

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Named on the bench, Dan Frost, Scott Kirk and Archie Griffin will make their impact in the front-row.

Ted Hill and Miles Reid offer their power from the bench as replacement loose forwards, along with Jaco Coetzee who makes his return from injury.

Tom Carr-Smith and Max Ojomoh are named as replacement backs.

Exeter return for Wyatt

Meanwhile, Tommy Wyatt will play his first Gallagher PREM match since May 2025 as he is named on the wing for Exeter Chiefs‘ trip to the Rec.

Wyatt was ruled out for nearly 16 months following a second ACL injury but returned to fitness in this season’s pre-season friendlies.

Georgian international Bachuki Tchumbadze also returns to Chiefs colours on the bench. Sam Wolstehnholme is included in the 23, one week on from being ruled out due to illness the day before Chiefs’ season opener.

The forward pack remains intact after a frustrating outing against Gloucester at Sandy Park last weekend.

Ethan Burger and Josh Iosefa-Scott pack down at loosehead and tighthead with hooker Jack Yeandle between the two. Captain Dafydd Jenkins mans the boiler room with Harry Wilson while the combative trio of Ethan Roots, Kane James and Greg Fisilau form the back-row.

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The scrum-half and fly-half pairing is occupied by Stephen Varney and Harvey Skinner while behind them in the centre field, Will Butt prepares to return to his former club as the opposition for the first time.

Henry Slade partners up with Butt as Ben Hammersley makes way for Wyatt’s return to reshuffle the back-three. Olly Woodburn moves to full-back to accommodate Immanuel Feyi-Waboso remaining on the right wing.

Having scored a try on his league debut last weekend, Louie Gulley retains his position on the bench. Tchumbadze joins the young hooker and Will Goodrick-Clarke to complete the replacement front-row.

Gulley’s fellow debutant Oscar Beckerleg is also named with Finn Worley Brady, who was a last-minute call-up in round one when illness ruled out fellow EURFC graduate, Joe Bailey.

Wolstenholme leads the backline cover with Will Haydon-Wood and Zack Wimbush possessing the ability to cover centres, wing and full-back.

Prediction: Bath by 14

The teams

Bath: 15 Ciaran Donoghue, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Cameron Redpath, 1 Tom de Glanville, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Bernard van der Linde, 8 Dan du Preez, 7 Guy Pepper, 6 Ewan Richards, 5 Charlie Ewels (c), 4 Quinn Roux, 3 Will Stuart, 2 Tom Dunn, 1 Beno Obano
Replacements: 16 Dan Frost, 17 Scott Kirk, 18 Archie Griffin, 19 Ted Hill, 20 Miles Reid, 21 Tom Carr-Smith, 22 Max Ojomoh, 23 Jaco Coetzee

Exeter Chiefs: 15 Olly Woodburn, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Will Butt, 11 Tommy Wyatt, 10 Harvey Skinner, 9 Stephen Varney, 8 Greg Fisilau, 7 Kane James, 6 Ethan Roots, 5 Dafydd Jenkins (c), 4 Harry Wilson, 3 Josh Iosefa-Scott, 2 Jack Yeandle, 1 Ethan Burger
Replacements: 16 Louie Gulley, 17 Will Goodrick-Clarke, 18 Bachuki Tchumbadze, 19 Oscar Beckerleg, 20 Finn Worley Brady, 21 Sam Wolstenholme, 22 Will Haydon-Wood, 23 Zack Wimbush

Venue: The Rec
Kick-off: 19:45 BST
Referee: Luke Pearce
Assistant referees: Anthony Woodthorpe and Neil Chivers
TMO: Dean Richards
Live on: TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports UHD, HBO Max

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