Derby day as Team Bath seek to continue home run against high-flying Exeter in BUCS Super Rugby
Team Bath men’s 1st XV are bidding for a third BUCS Super Rugby home win in as many weeks when they take on South West rivals Exeter at the University of Bath Sports Training Village tonight (Wednesday).
The Blue & Gold edged out Nottingham Trent 41-36 at the STV before memorably beating Leeds Beckett with a last-minute penalty from Hugo Stiles in front of 4,000 spectators at The Rec last week in the Anniversary Game.
Exeter are also in fine form and currently sit second in the early table, two places above Team Bath.
International Management masters student Kas Eelman, who was an undergraduate at Exeter University and has previously played against Team Bath in BUCS Super Rugby, makes his first start in Blue & Gold tonight against his former team-mates.
Fellow forward Jack Kenningham, who was among the try scorers at The Rec last week, and centre Will Hughes also come into the Team Bath starting XV.
Kick-off is 6.30pm and admission, as to all matches at the University of Bath, is free.
Team Bath starting XV: 15 Will Partington, 14 Finn Murphy, 13 Will Hughes, 12 Alex Nisbett, 11 Hugo Stiles, 10 Alex Burrage, 9 Ed Rimmer; 1 Tom Rowland, 2 Tom Doughty (c), 3 Kieran Verden, 4 Kas Eelman, 5 Adam Thresher, 6 Jack Kenningham, 7 Chris Barry, 8 James Catlin. Replacements: 16 Beck Cutting, 17 George Cave, 18 Austin Hay, 19 Jordan Martin, 20 Josh Lilly, 21 George Wootton, 22 Miles Gilbert, 23 Brandon Bellamin.
Exeter University starting XV: 15 Sal M’Boge, 14 Charlie Davies, 13 George Chatterton, 12 Carl Morgan, 11 Matt Blee, 10 Isaac Hydleman, 9 Pierre Thompson; 1 Josh Pieterse, 2 George Gosling (c), 3 Joe Salkeld, 4 Charlie Morgan, 5 Lasha Jainai, 6 Richard Capstick, 7 Luc-Pierre Riou, 8 Jack Rouse. Replacements: 16 Rauf Briler, 17 Harrison Fowke, 18 Matt Johnson, 19 Paul Schroter, 20 Harvey Rhyder, 21 Ed Houchin, 22 Harry Bazalgette, 23 Will Hollis.
