Lions prop benched by Bath for derby after scrum troubles

Will Stuart has to settle for a place on the bench for the visit of local rivals Bristol this Saturday, as one of two changes to the Bath front-row which endured a torrid afternoon in the scrum against Leicester in round four.

Lions international Stuart and England prop Beno Obano each gave away two scrum penalties in the 22-20 defeat to the Tigers, with Wales international Nicky Smith having a field day.

Stuart lasted 52 minutes before he was replaced by Sharks-bound Thomas du Toit. Du Toit, who will be returning to South Africa at the end of the season, gave away the last-second penalty that cost Bath a narrow win. However, he has been given the No.3 jersey for Saturday’s derby.

Dan Frost broke his hand at Welford Road and Tom Dunn, who made his 250th club appearance last weekend, starts at hooker, with Obano and du Toit either side of him.

Quinn Roux has shaken off a knock to partner Ross Molony in the engine room in front of flankers Josh Bayliss and Guy Pepper, at six and seven respectively, and Miles Reid wearing the No.8 shirt.

Captain Ben Spencer and Finn Russell will link up as the half-backs.

Cameron Redpath and Ollie Lawrence combine in midfield whilst Henry Arundell and Joe Cokanasiga will occupy the wing positions, proving a blend of pace and power.

Santi Carreras completes Johann van Graan’s starting 15 at fullback, with Tom de Glanville, who played on the wing at Leicester, omitted from the matchday 23 altogether.

Hooker Kepueli Tuipulotu along with props Francois van Wyk and Stuart are the replacement front row. Ewan Richards, Sam Underhill, and Alfie Barbeary also act as cover.

Backs Tom Carr-Smith and Max Ojomoh complete a six-two split on the bench.

Bath Rugby Starting XV: 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Thomas du Toit, 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Ross Molony, 6 Josh Bayliss, 7 Guy Pepper, 8 Miles Reid, 9 Ben Spencer ©, 10 Finn Russell, 11 Henry Arundell, 12 Cameron Redpath, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 15 Santi Carreras

Replacements: 16 Kepueli Tuipulotu, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Ewan Richards, 20 Sam Underhill, 21 Tom Carr-Smith, 22 Max Ojomoh, 23 Alfie Barbeary.