BATH RUGBY boosted by return of fit-again duo
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- Created on Friday, 27 January 2023 05:17
- Last Updated on Friday, 27 January 2023 09:17
- Published on Friday, 27 January 2023 05:17
- Written by LEWIS HANCOCK
Fit-again Josh McNally is set to make his return to action when Bath Rugby tackle Sale Sharks away in their first Premiership match of 2023 tonight, 1945ko.The 32-year-old forward featured three times at the beginning of the season before injuring his shoulder. After almost four months of rehabilitation with the club’s medical team, McNally has been named in the second row alongside Dave Attwood.
It is a similar story for 28-year-old Beno Obano, sidelined with a knee injury sustained on the opening day of the season. The fit-again England prop returns to the matchday squad and starts on the bench tonight.
The starting pack has five changes following the 19-19 draw at Glasgow Warriors last Friday. Valeriy Morozov takes the one jersey against his former club while Niall Annett starts at hooker as Bath-born Tom Dunn, 30, is on international duty with England's Six Nations squad. D’Arcy Rae is reinstated at tighthead prop with Attwood and McNally pairing up in the lock positions.
The back row of Ted Hill, Chris Cloete and Miles Reid link up again.
Scrum half and skipper Ben Spencer is promoted back to a starting berth and partners Orlando Bailey in the half-back slots, while Max Ojomoh switches from wing to inside centre. Jonathan Joseph joins him in the midfield as Ollie Lawrence is also on England duty.
Full back Matt Gallagher and Will Butt are named in the back three along with fellow wing Joe Cokanasiga to complete the backline.
On the bench, Sam Underhill is fit to be selected and Scotland international Cameron Redpath is available – another set to take on his former team.
Bath Rugby starting 15 Matt Gallagher, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Max Ojomoh, 11 Will Butt, 10 Orlando Bailey, 9 Ben Spencer ©; 1 Valeriy Morozov, 2 Niall Annett, 3 D’Arcy Rae, 4 Dave Attwood, 5 Josh McNally, 6 Ted Hill, 7 Chris Cloete, 8 Miles Reid
16 Tom Doughty, 17 Beno Obano, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Will Spencer, 20 Fergus Lee-Warner, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Cameron Redpath, 23 Sam Underhill
Bath's Somerset-born flanker/lock forward Tom Ellis has joined Saracens as short-term cover.
The 28-year-old has linked up with Mark McCall’s side with immediate effect due to injuries and Six Nations call-ups in Saracens squad.
Bath head of Rugby Johann van Graan said: "Tom has an opportunity to experience a new club and to earn more game time.
"We wish him well during that period and look forward to welcoming him back in the next six weeks."
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