Men’s 1st XV travel to new boys Nottingham Trent in search of BUCS Super Rugby boost
The University of Bath men’s 1st XV are making their first-ever BUCS Super Rugby visit to Nottingham Trent University today (Friday).
Both teams are looking to secure their first win of the season, with the visitors – sponsored by IKON Construction and supported by Investigo – determined to cut out the errors which have undermined some positive displays so far this campaign.
There are five changes to the XV that started last week’s 39-27 defeat to table-topping Northumbria. Finn Murphy and Luca Petrozzi return at wing and scrum-half respectively, while Bath Rugby Academy props Arthur Cordwell and Kieran Verden come into the front row. Steff Osman-Wiggan starts at number eight as Jack Davies moves to blindside flanker.
Nottingham Trent – who have close links with Championship club Nottingham RFC, where tonight’s match is being played (7pm) – have been promoted to Super Rugby this season but have lost all four of their games so far.
Meanwhile, University of Bath hooker Beck Cutting – a first-year Sports & Social Sciences student and Trendell Sports Scholar – will make his debut for Premiership club Worcester Warriors in tonight’s Anglo-Welsh Cup match against Sale Sharks.
Tonight’s team
University of Bath: 15 Will Partington, 14 Finn Murphy, 13 Craig Duncan, 12 Charlie Dunbar, 11 Jack London, 10 Will Flinn, 9 Luca Petrozzi; 1 Arthur Cordwell, 2 Tom Doughty, 3 Kieran Verden, 4 Will Britton (c), 5 Scott Russell, 6 Jack Davies, 7 Chris Barry, 8 Steff Osman-Wiggan. Replacements: 16 Jordi den Hartog, 17 Austin Hay, 18 David da Costa, 19 Derryn Jones, 20 Tom Bottoms, 21 Louis Mulholland, 22 Jake Allen.
