Team Bath visit old rivals Loughborough for eagerly-awaited clash of the BUCS Super Rugby high-fliers
Team Bath men’s 1st XV complete their run of tough February away trips as they head to league leaders Loughborough on Wednesday for their latest big BUCS Super Rugby showdown.
Just two points separate the clubs going into the match (7pm kick-off), with Bath Building Society-sponsored Team Bath joint level with second-placed Exeter in a tight battle at the top of the table.
The reverse fixture in November was one of the matches of the season, with Team Bath holding off a late charge from their old rivals to edge a 36-35 victory at the Sports Training Village.
The visitors once again utilise their squad strength by handing a first league start to second-row Harvey Cuckson, who comes into the pack along with hooker Jasper Spandler, prop Archie Griffin and England U20 player Josh Dingley. Mackenzie Graham moves to No 8.
Archie Friend starts at scrum-half and Alex Clayton returns at full-back, while Eddie Erskine – who recently made his Scotland U20 Six Nations debut against England – is among the replacements.
Team Bath starting XV: 1 Josh Cilia, 2 Jasper Spandler, 3 Archie Griffin, 4 Will Jeanes, 5 Harvey Cuckson, 6 Josh Dingley, 7 Tom Williams (c), 8 Mackenzie Graham; 9 Archie Friend, 10 Zach Rodber, 11 Alfie Garside (c), 12 Ludo Kolade, 13 Austin Emens, 14 James Pavey, 15 Alex Clayton. Replacements: 16 Duncan Hood, 17 Ollie Tack, 18 Archie McNicol, 19 Eddie Erskine, 20 Olu Odunlami, 21 Tom Carr-Smith, 22 Kit Evans, 23 Sam Mercer.
