New names and familiar faces in starting XV as Team Bath kick off BUCS Super Rugby season
BUCS Super Rugby returns to the University of Bath tonight (Wednesday) as the Team Bath men’s 1st XV kick off their 2018-19 season with a Freshers’ Week home fixture against Northumbria.
The match gets under way at 6.30pm on the athletics infield at the Sports Training Village and admission to spectators is free, as it is for all of the matches being played at the University this season.
There are a host of new names and returning players joining familiar faces in the starting XV, with Santander Sporting Scholar Hugo Stiles – who was on placement during 2017-18 – starting at full-back after helping Hong Kong win a first-ever rugby sevens gold at the Asian Games last month.
Bath Rugby Academy player Miles Gilbert and Hong Kong U20 international Alex Nisbett form the centre partnership, while Finn Murphy and Brandon Bellamin are on the wings. Captain Alex Burrage and Ed Rimmer are the half-back pairing.
Tom Rowland, James Hadfield and Austin Hay make up the front row, Angus Hinton and Adam Thresher are the locks and Harlequins Academy player Jack Kennington joins Chris Barry and Jordan Martin in a powerful back row.
Northumbria were runners-up in the league table last season, missing out on the title by just one point, and will provide a tough challenge for Team Bath in what is sure to be an entertaining encounter.
Don’t forget, admission is free so get along to the Sports Training Village to cheer on the Blue & Gold!
Team Bath starting XV v Northumbria
15 Hugo Stiles, 14 Finn Murphy, 13 Alex Nisbett, 12 Miles Gilbert, 11 Brandon Bellamin, 10 Alex Burrage (c), 9 Ed Rimmer; 1 Tom Rowland, 2 James Hadfield, 3 Austin Hay, 4 Angus Hinton, 5 Adam Thresher, 6 Jack Kenningham, 7 Chris Barry, 8 Jordan Martin. Replacements: 16 Luke Trewhella, 17 George Cave, 18 Simone Ngeng, 19 George Maylam, 20 Josh Lilly, 21 George Wootten, 22 Benn Morris, 23 Will Kelley.
Referee: Ben Wilde.
Assistant referees: Brad Bignell, Neil Sweeney.
4th official: Ed Eades.
