Gallagher PREM 2026/27 squads rated: Bath

Compared to the past two seasons, which resulted in a first league trophy in 29 years and a title defence that fell just short, Bath supporters’ confidence is not as high as it once was entering the new campaign, despite the bookies marking them down as marginal favourites ahead of reigning champions Northampton.

Johann van Graan begins his fifth term of office at The Rec without two standout performers – Thomas du Toit and Alfie Barbeary – and with a new attack coach, albeit someone very familiar to both him and chief playmaker, Finn Russell, in ex-Munster man Mike Prendergast.

As well as working with van Graan in Ireland, Prendergast enjoyed a good relationship with Russell at Racing 92, and it’s to be hoped that the two dovetail nicely again to bring the best out of the Scotland star, who, off the back of a Lions tour, struggled to match the heights he showed in steering Bath to Twickenham glory in 2024/25.

Prendergast prefers a keep-ball, multi-phase attack, whereas up until now, Bath have relied on a power-based game to break down defences, and it’ll be interesting to see how his new strategy, if the Irishman is allowed to fully implement it, will marry with the personnel at his disposal.

Josh Bayliss, who had an excellent season in 2025/26, should prove to be a key figure in linking that chain together, as he has both the pace and the strength in contact to keep play moving. But you do wonder if the rest of Bath’s bruisers up front – except hookers Dan Frost and Kepu Tuipulotu – have the legs and mobility to play that sort of game.

The return of Jaco Coetzee from a long-term ACL injury and the arrival of Dan du Preez should, in part, offset the loss of Barbeary to Saracens at the back of the pack, while Bath will be hoping for a big year from Will Stuart, who missed the second half of last term due to an Achilles injury, in the absence of du Toit.

Loose-head: Jamie Bhatti, Ioan Emanuel, Scott Kirk, Theo Malik, Beno Obano, Claudius Wheeler, Jacob Yates.
With Beno Obano battling to be fit for the start of the season and reportedly in talks with French clubs, Francois van Wyk’s summer departure to Connacht appears ill-timed. Scott Kirk is fast-emerging as a serious first-team contender for the No.1 jersey, but Jamie Bhatti needs to settle in quickly. (6.5/10)

Hooker: Tom Dunn, Dan Frost, Evan Gallagher, Max Pearce, Jasper Spandler, Oscar Thomas, Kepu Tuipulotu
Old warhorse Dunn played almost as many PREM minutes as the other two hookers combined in 2025/26. However, with so many miles now on the clock, his starting spot is under serious threat, particularly from young England hopeful Tuipulotu. Bath were ranked joint-eighth for lineout success last season, and there wasn’t much to choose between the trio in terms of throwing accuracy – Dunn (85%), Frost (82%) and Tuipulotu (86%) – so whoever shows most improvement in that key area should get the nod. (8/10)

Tight-head: Alfie Griffin, Archie Griffin, Henry Mountford, Vilikesa Sela, Will Stuart, Kieran Verden
Du Toit’s scrummaging and try-scoring prowess is almost irreplacable. But in Will Stuart, Vilikesa Sela and Archie Griffin, Bath still have three international-class tight-heads to call on. (7.5/10)

Lock: Jack Bennett, Charlie Ewels, Tom Hilton, Rory McKnight, Ross Molony, Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi, Isaac Sprenger, Ewan Richards, Quinn Roux
One area where Bath could have arguably done with a freshen-up, as the three principal engine room stokers – Ewels, Molony and Roux – are all easily the wrong side of 30. New Italian cap Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi made his debut last season and will be looking to kick on, while Ewan Richards’ athleticism around the park and in the air could lead to more game time if Bath adopt a more fluid style. (7/10)

Back-row: Josh Bayliss, Jaco Coetzee, Thompson Cowan, Dan du Preez, Arthur Green, Fred Kempton, Will Keylock, Ted Hill, James Maloney, Guy Pepper, Miles Reid, Alex Ridgway, George Timmins, Connor Treacey, Sam Underhill, Alex Yeabsley
Given the quality and quantity of the players at their disposal, Bath have the scope to field a number of different back-row combinations, which allows van Graan to rest and rotate players in a position where collisions take their toll. Coetzee will feel like a new signing and a full season out of Arthur Green would be another blessing, while Bath will be hoping du Preez’s injury problems are behind him. (8/10)

Scrum-half: Tom Carr-Smith, Ieuan Davies, Isaac Mears, Ben Spencer, Bernard van der Linde
Bath still don’t have a standout candidate to replace the ageing, and currently crocked, Ben Spencer, as their first-choice nine. Tom Carr-Smith has had a good crack at it without totally convincing he’s the long-term solution; Bernard van der Linde appears to be best suited to counter-attacking rugby off the bench; and while big things are expected of Isaac Mears, it’s too soon for him to be regarded as a regular starter. (7/10)

Fly-half: Ciaran Donogue, Max Hooper, James Linegar, Will Roue, Finn Russell
By all accounts, Ciaran Donoghue gained pace rather than lose some of his acceleration off the mark whilst he was recuperating last season’s long-term knee injury. Keep him fit and Bath have a very good back-up option if Russell is unavailable. Some have questioned Bath’s depth in this area, but with Russell, Donoghue, two talented youngsters in James Linegar and Will Roue, as well as Max Ojomoh as a serious alternative, Bath shouldn’t be found wanting at 10. (8/10)

Centre: Bailey Cutts, Jack Harrison, Louie Hennessey, Ollie Lawrence, Max Ojomoh, Cameron Redpath, Declan Treacey, Cam Ward
Ollie Lawrence endured a very inconsistent campaign in 2025/26, so it is to be hoped he’s got a good pre-season behind him, as Bath need him to be firing on all cylinders in attack and defence. On paper, his partnership with Max Ojomoh is one that most PREM sides would envy. But beyond Cam Redpath and Louie Hennessey, there isn’t a glut of midfielders ready to push them for their place, which is where complacency can creep in. (7.5/10)

Wing: Henry Arundell, Joe Cokanasiga, Charlie Griffin, Will Muir, Tyler Offiah, Rocky Prowse, Harry Walker, Sam Winters
With Sam Winters and Charlie Griffin starting to break through, Bath shouldn’t be as badly exposed as they were when injuries struck out wide last season. If he gets more touches on the ball, Henry Arundell will surely better his 13-try PREM tally last season, and Will Muir and Joe Cokanasiga will continue to give the team aerial presence and power in the carry. Tyler Offiah could be in the mix, too, but has yet to properly deliver on his promise. (8.5/10)

Full-back: Santi Carreras, Tom de Glanville, Austin Emens, Jack Woods
The shootout between Tom de Glanville and Santi Carreras in the battle for the No.15 jersey continues, with the former likely to have a head start on the Puma – shoulder injury permitting – given his heavy international workload. It’s a big season for Carreras who underwhelmed when making the much trumpeted move from Gloucester last summer. Woods, a young Welsh talent, had a couple of Cup starts at full-back last season. (8/10)

Overall rating: 76/100 (2025/26: 83/100)

TRANSFERS

Ins: Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow), Dan du Preez (Sale Sharks), Will Roue (Bath Uni)

Outs: Alfie Barbeary (Saracens), Will Butt (Exeter), Harvey Cuckson (Scarlets), Thomas du Toit (Sharks), Chris Harris (Newcastle), Sam Harris (Exeter), Neil Le Roux (Bulls), Ethan Staddon (Bristol), Mikey Summerfield (Ealing), Francois van Wyk (Connacht)