In-form Team Bath head to South West rivals Exeter for BUCS Super Rugby top-of-the-table crunch clash
It is first versus second in BUCS Super Rugby today as Team Bath men’s 1st XV head to table-topping Exeter hoping to take the title race into the final week of the regular season.
Victory for Exeter would secure top spot but the Fulkers-sponsored Blue & Gold, who are also supported by MJ Church, are in fine form and will be determined to close the gap even further as they seek a fourth successive win and a first league double over their South West rivals.
Team Bath edged out Exeter in a thrilling contest in November which involved nine tries and Beck Cutting, who was among the scorers that night, is back in the squad after commitments with Premiership club Worcester Warriors.
Brandon Bellamin starts at number 11 in the only change to the back line which beat Northumbria last Friday at Kingston Park.
A slight switch around in the pack sees Bath Rugby Academy player Jack Davies move from blindside flanker to second row, allowing Jack Kenningham to go back to his preferred position at number six whilst James Catlin comes in to start at number eight.
Kick-off is 2pm.
Team Bath starting XV: 15 Will Partington, 14 Ethan Hutt, 13 Alex Nisbett, 12 Will Butt, 11 Brandon Bellamin, 10 Alex Burrage, 9 Ed Rimmer; 1 Arthur Cordwell, 2 James Hadfield, 3 Austin Hay, 4 Angus Hinton, 5 Jack Davies, 6 Jack Kenningham, 7 Chris Barry, 8 James Catlin. Replacements: 16 Beck Cutting, 17 Jack Buckingham, 18 Kieran Verden, 19 Adam Thresher, 20 Rhys Davies, 21 Jordan Martin, 22 James Richardson, 23 Finn Murphy.
