Stuart set for England spot
Bath’s contingent in the England camp have had mixed fortunes with Eddie Jones opting to keep tighthead prop Will Stuart as part of his 25-player squad to prepare to face New Zealand this weekend.
Stuart has recovered from a knee injury he suffered back in early October on club duty for Bath against Saracens and looks set to go straight into the matchday 23 to face the All Blacks at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday 19 November (5.30pm KO) as one of only two tightheads still in the squad along with Bristol’s Kyle Sinckler.
Meanwhile, England have confirmed that wing Joe Cokanasiga is unavailable for selection after suffering an ankle injury in England’s 52-13 win over Japan on Saturday.
However Exeter Chiefs’ Jack Nowell, who was withdrawn late in the day last weekend having suffered an abdominal wall injury, which led to Cokanasiga taking his place, remains in the 25-man squad which will be cut down to 23 on Thursday morning.
Northampton Saints’ Tommy Freeman remains with the squad in Cokanasiga’s absence to compete for a wing spot with Gloucester’s Jonny May.
The match is live on Amazon Prime Sport and TALKSPORT.
NAMIBIAN international tighthead prop Aranos Coetzee’s shortterm spell at Bath Rugby has come to an end.
The frontrow forward was signed on a temporary injury cover loan from South African franchise the Cheetahs in the summer. He debuted on the opening day of the 2022/23 Gallagher Premiership season against Bristol Bears and provided a strong, experienced option in the front row, making five appearances in total.
A statement from the club said: “Off the field, Coetzee fitted in seamlessly with the group and was a great addition to the squad.
“Everyone at Bath Rugby would like to thank Aranos for his contribution whilst at The Rec and wish him all the very best for the future.”
Coetzee, 34, departs with Bath’s tighthead resources improving as England international Will Stuart has recovered from a knee injury he sustained against Saracens and this week has been training with the national side ahead of facing New Zealand on Saturday in the Autumn Nation Series.
Fears over the fitness of D’arcy Rae, who left the field early in Bath’s win over Leicester Tigers on Friday night, were allayed by head of rugby Johann van Graan postmatch who explained the one-cap Scottish international had been suffering with illness before kick off which is why he came off.
He was replaced by South African Johannes Jonker with Kieran Verden and Archie Griffin as other emerging options.