New signing blow for Bath as prop delivers bad news

Jamie Bhatti’s second spell at Bath has been derailed almost as soon as it has begun after the Scotland prop revealed he has broken his arm via social media.

Bhatti posted an image of an x-ray revealing the fracture on his personal Instagram account, which has yet to be officially confirmed by the club.

The 33-year-old, who arrived in the summer on a two-year deal, suffered the injury 10 minutes after coming on against his former club Glasgow in Bath’s final pre-season game at Old Anniesland last Friday.

While Bath were impressive in despatching their callow opponents, 53-5, Bhatti’s injury is a real blow to the club ahead of Friday’s Gallagher PREM opener at Harlequins.

Bhatti was just one of three new signings, the 36-cap international being brought in by Johaan van Graan to compensate for the loss of Francois van Wyk to Connacht.

 

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A post shared by Jamie Bhatti (@jamie_bhatti)

Messages of support came flooding in for Bhatti, who added the jokey caption, ‘cracking start to the season’. Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu was among the wellwishers, saying “speedy recovery brother.”

While van Graan will rely on Pau-bound Beno Obano and Scott Kirk to fulfil the loose-head duties for now, it is highly likely that the South African will look to make a short-term injury signing to cover for the luckless Bhatti.

Bhatti made 11 appearances in blue, black and white when he was last at the club, on loan from Edinburgh, in 2020.

When his signature was announced six months ago, van Graan said: “He comes from a winning environment with Test experience and has become a very good ball carrier.”