Bath squad stretched as Chiefs loom

BATH Rugby are going to the well in the face of some significant injury adversity, Stuart Hooper has revealed, writes John Evely.

With Exeter Chiefs looming on Saturday, and having strung two back-to-back victories together in the Premiership, the Bath director of rugby, pictured, was quick to praise the club-wide effort behind the 23-22 win over Northampton on Sunday, with a number of his players hobbling into the game and the squad metaphorically hamstrung by international callups and suspensions.

Hooper explained: “We had four travelling reserves with us because we didn’t know who was going to be fit. The physios have been working through the night at the hotel to make sure people were ready to go and that just shows it was a whole squad effort. I am sure they will all be proud.”

Bath are without England men Anthony Watson, Will Stuart, Beno Obano and Charlie Ewels for this weekend, but Taulupe

Faletau, who was man of the match for Wales in the 40-24 Six Nations victory over England, will be back for club duty against the defending champions.

On the injury front, Cameron Redpath (neck), Sam Underhill (hip), Will Spencer (neck) and Josh McNally (leg), plus a fourgame ban for Mike Williams, mean Hooper’s resources, in particular in the back five of the scrum, are being stretched to breaking point.

Against Northampton, the situation was complicated again with captain for the day Josh Baylish failing a HIA in the 31st minute, while Josh Matavesi also went off for the neurological tests late in the game.

Number eight Zach Mercer suffered a giant blister on the hard surface at the Gardens and Tom Ellis, playing out of position at lock, battled through with a knock for 68 minutes.

Hooper added: “Tom has had a stiff ankle. He has been battling hard and he put an unbelievable amount of work to get himself out there. He picked up a knock in training this week, but battled through and got out there.

“He gave us absolutely everything and I was really pleased with Ewan (Richards) when he came on as well, to do what he did at 18 is outstanding.”

As for the result at Saints, Hooper said: “I think that was a massive victory for us.”