Bath starting XV for Gallagher Premiership Final

Bath Rugby have revealed their starting team to face Northampton Saints in Saturday’s historic Gallagher Premiership final.

This will be their first final since 2015, a year in which they were decisively defeated 28-16 by a dominant Saracens team. Rewind to 2004, and many will recall Bath finishing at the top of the table only to fall to Wasps 10-6 in the playoff final.

Edging further back into the history books, the last time Bath actually won a top league title was way back in 1996. The professional years have not been kind to the age old club, as they look to change their fortunes and regain the influence they once had on the game.

In the pack, last week’s try-scorer Beno Obano retains his starting loosehead spot, with Tom Dunn taking the number two jersey at hooker and Thomas du Toit completing the front row. Behind them, Quinn Roux and Charlie Ewels partner up again in the second row.

In the back row, Ted Hill and Sam Underhill keep their positions on the flanks, with Alfie Barbeary completing the pack at Number 8.

At half-back, Ben Spencer is joined by Finn Russell, with Cameron Redpath and Ollie Lawrence providing the support in the midfield.

Finishing the back line, Will Muir and Joe Cokanasiga maintain their stronghold on the wings, while Matt Gallagher earns his final run out in a Bath jersey before departing for Benetton.

The bench remains unchanged after their impactful performance last week, with Niall Annett, Juan Schoeman, and Will Stuart providing set-piece power, and Schoeman also bidding farewell to the Bath jersey.

Elliott Stooke, Josh Bayliss, and Miles Reid hold their replacement forward spots, while Louis Schreuder and Orlando Bailey are again named as replacement backs in van Graan’s 6-2 split.

Bath Rugby XV: 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Thomas du Toit, 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Charlie Ewels, 6 Ted Hill, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Alfie Barbeary, 9 Ben Spencer, 10 Finn Russell, 11 Will Muir, 12 Cameron Redpath, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 15 Matt Gallagher

Replacements: 16 Niall Annett, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Elliott Stooke, 20 Josh Bayliss, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Orlando Bailey, 23 Miles Reid

Christophe Ridley will referee the fixture, supported by Luke Pearce and Anthony Woodthorpe on the touchlines. Tom Foley will oversee from the TMO box.

For the Northampton Saints squad, click below:

Northampton Saints name starting XV for Gallagher Premiership Final against Bath Rugby | Rugbydump