One win from Twickenham as Team Bath head to holders Hartpury for live-streamed BUCS Super Rugby semi-final
Team Bath men’s 1st XV are determined to make it third time the charm when they make the short journey to cup holders Hartpury for tonight’s BUCS Super Rugby Championship semi-final (6.30pm).
The Fulkers-sponsored Blue & Gold, who are also supported by MJ Church, have fallen at this stage on the Road to Twickenham during the past two seasons, including a narrow defeat at Hartpury in 2017.
They were victorious on their last visit to their Gloucestershire rivals, though, as they recorded a first-ever away win over Hartpury – a hard-fought 13-11 league success back in November.
That was followed a fortnight later by another tight victory for the Blue & Gold, who won 33-31 at the University of Bath Sports Training Village to complete the league double over their local rivals.
Hartpury and Team Bath went on to finish second and third respectively in the final BUCS Super Rugby table, meaning there is little to choose between the teams ahead of what promises to be a semi-final to savour.
Team Bath make just three changes to the XV that started last week’s emphatic 64-29 quarter-final victory over Durham, with hooker James Hadfield – who scored a hat-trick of tries off the bench in that game – replacing injured captain Tom Doughty.
Will Hughes forms a centre partnership with Alex Nisbett and is replaced on the wing by Brandon Bellamin.
Team Bath are bolstered on the bench by Miles Reid, who recently started for Bath Rugby in their Gallagher Premiership Rugby win over reigning champions Saracens.
Don’t forget, if you are not travelling to Hartpury tonight you can still cheer on the Blue & Gold via the BUCS Super Rugby live stream – click here to watch from 6.30pm.
Tonight’s teams
Hartpury starting XV: 15 Jack Johnson, 14 Ervin Muric, 13 Robbie Smith, 12 Joe Margetts, 11 Elias Caven, 10 Nathan Chamberlain, 9 Toby Venner; 1 Luke Boon, 2 Will Biggs, 3 Alex Gibson, 4 Tom Everard, 5 Angus Southon, 6 Will Hopwood, 7 Max Clementson, 8 Harry Wilson. Replacements: 16 Jordon Liney, 17 Oliver Adkins, 18 Nick English, 19 Ben Kellend, 20 Aiden Burnett, 21 Ben George, 22 Dan Cole, 23 Alex Forrester.
Team Bath starting XV: 15 Will Partington, 14 Ethan Hutt, 13 Will Hughes, 12 Alex Nisbett, 11 Brandon Bellamin, 10 Alex Burrage (c), 9 Ed Rimmer; 1 Arthur Cordwell, 2 James Hadfield, 3 Austin Hay, 4 Angus Hinton, 5 Jack Davies, 6 Jack Kenningham, 7 Chris Barry, 8 James Catlin. Replacements: 16 Sam Ngeng, 17 Jake Buckingham, 18 Kieran Verden, 19 Adam Thresher, 20 Rhys Davies, 21 Miles Reid, 22 George Wootten, 23 Finn Murphy.
