Internationals may return for the derby
Bath Rugby could be boosted by the return of four England internationals to face Bristol Bears in Friday night’s derby game.
Tighthead prop Will Stuart and lock Josh Mcnally are both back in full training now and it is simply a race against time whether they will be ready to take the field at Ashton Gate.
Mcnally has been recovering from surgery on his shoulder over the summer after picking up an injury training with England in June and like Stuart is yet to play this season.
Director of rugby Stuart Hooper said: “They are both close, they were back in training last week and were back in full training this week. We will make a decision later in the week but they are not too far away.”
Stuart joined Bath teammates Charlie Ewels, Beno Obano, Anthony Watson and Sam Underhill in linking up with England from Sunday to Tuesday in a mini-training camp ahead of the upcoming Autumn internationals.
Bath’s scrum has struggled without Stuart in the opening two rounds of the Premiership and Hooper will be keen to get his 12-cap international back to face Bristol.
Discussing his progress, Hooper said: “Stuey is pretty good. He is not going flat out with England but he is up there and is clearly in Eddie’s [Jones] plans. We will see when he comes back to us [on Wednesday] how he has got on and what type of shape he is in.”
Winger Ruaridh Mcconnochie has also recovered from illness and is contention to be involved in the derby while Hooper said he is hopeful Sam Underhill will be available after taking a blow to his knee in the defeat to Newcastle Falcons on Saturday.
Hooper said: “Sam is not too bad. He pulled up alright after the game.
“It was more of a knock than anything. We are hopeful he will be alright for the weekend.”
Meanwhile, Hooper is still uncertain whether fly-half Danny Cipriani will be fit to the pull strings against
Bath as he continues to work his way back from a concussion injury he suffered against Sale Sharks in round one.
In his absence last weekend England U20 international Orlando Bailey started at fly-half against the Falcons and will be in line to do so again should Cipriani not be passed to play.
Hooper said: “Danny is still in his GRTP [graduated return to play concussion protocols]. “There is not more than that at this stage but he is following the process.”
Scrum-half Ben Spencer is not expected back for several weeks meaning Ollie Fox and Max Green will continue to compete for the nine jersey.