BATH RUGBY Chudley set for first start of season

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Created on Saturday, 27 February 2021 06:21

Last Updated on Sunday, 28 February 2021 15:07

Published on Saturday, 27 February 2021 06:21

Written by SHULA SMITH at Bath Rugby

Scrum half Will Chudley is set to make his first Premiership start of the season for Bath at Northampton today (1300ko).

Welsh international ace Rhys Priestland will be outside Chudley at fly-half after his match-winning display in the 16-14 home win over Gloucester.

Jonathan Joseph teams up with Josh Matavesi in the centre, with Will Muir – recently named in the GB Sevens training squad – and Semesa Rokoduguni on the wings.

Josh Bayliss captains the team after skippering the Blue, Black and White to an 18-3 win on their last trip to Franklin’s Gardens last August.

Tom Ellis and Elliot Stooke return to the pack while wing Ruaridh McConnochie returns from injury as part of a strong bench including Tom Dunn, Jamie Bhatti, Henry Thomas, Ben Spencer, Max Clark and up-and-coming youngsters Ewan Richards and Ethan Staddon.

Bath director of rugby Stuart Hooper said: “Our match against Saints represents a big challenge. We are looking forward to heading up to Franklin’s Gardens. It’s always an exciting place to go and play and we’ll be looking to repeat the success of our last visit.

“We’ll be aiming to replicate our success in the set-piece and create a solid platform from which to attack. We want to continue the momentum and come away with another win.”

Bath Rugby starting 15. Tian Schoeman, 14. Semesa Rokodoguni, 13. Jonathan Joseph, 12. Josh Matavesi, 11. Will Muir, 10. Rhys Priestland, 9. Will Chudley; 1. Juan Schoeman, 2. Jack Walker, 3. Christian Judge, 4. Tom Ellis, 5. Elliot Stooke, 6. Josh Bayliss (C), 7. Miles Reid, 8. Zach Mercer

16. Tom Dunn, 17. Jamie Bhatti, 18. Henry Thomas, 19. Ewan Richards, 20. Ethan Staddon, 21. Ben Spencer, 22. Max Clark, 23. Ruaridh McConnochie

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