Santi Carreras switches positions with Russell still out for Bath

With Finn Russell still recovering from a tight calf, Argentina international Santi Carreras has been asked to lead Bath’s attack in Saturday’s crunch Gallagher PREM clash at home to Leicester Tigers.

Carreras has a 100% record in Bath’s No.10 jersey, having worn it in the wins away to Newcastle in December and Sale Sharks in March.

However, he enjoyed limited success as Bath’s goal kicker in those matches, slotting just eight of his 13 chances (61.5%), and in what is likely to be a tight game to decide second place, the reigning champions will need the Puma to show the accuracy he displayed off the tee in last year’s Rugby Championship.

Bath decided against fielding Ciaran Donoghue in the playmaker position, with the 23-year-old only two games into his comeback from the serious knee injury suffered against Munster in pre-season.

Donogue doesn’t even make the bench, as inside-centre Max Ojomoh has excelled there whenever asked, and Cam Redpath provides further cover at 10 off the bench.

Fixture

Gallagher Premiership

Bath

24 - 22

Full-time

Leicester

All Stats and Data

Up front, Johann van Graan selects an unchanged tight five from last week’s outing against Bristol Bears. Beno Obano, Kepueli Tuipulotu and Thomas du Toit will pack down in the front row, with Ted Hill and Charlie Ewels locking in behind them.

Josh Bayliss joins Sam Underhill on the flanks and Alfie Barbeary starts at No.8.

Carreras will be captained at half-by club captain Ben Spencer, while Ojomoh and Ollie Lawrence pair up in the midfield.

Completing the backline, Henry Arundell and Joe Cokanasiga take the wing slot with Tom de Glanville starting at full-back.

Dan Frost, Francois van Wyk and Vilikesa Sela will provide their impact from the bench, alongside Ross Molony, Ewan Richards and Miles Reid as this week’s replacement forwards.

Scrum-half Tom Carr-Smith, another player capable of playing 10, and Redpath complete the matchday squad.

Bath Rugby: 1 Beno Obano, 2 Kepueli Tuipulotu, 3 Thomas du Toit, 4 Ted Hill, 5 Charlie Ewels, 6 Josh Bayliss, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Alfie Barbeary, 9 Ben Spencer (c), 10 Santi Carreras, 11 Henry Arundell, 12 Max Ojomoh, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 15 Tom de Glanville.
Replacements: 16 Dan Frost, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Vilikesa Sela, 19 Ross Molony, 20 Ewan Richards, 21 Tom Carr-Smith, 22 Cameron Redpath, 23 Miles Reid.