Duo ruled out long term with injuries
Bath Rugby are set to be without England international tight-head prop Will Stuart and Irish international lock Quinn Roux for an extended period of time, defence coach JP Ferreria has confirmed.
Stuart appeared to injure his arm/ shoulder in a scrum during England’s 27-13 defeat to the Springboks on Saturday to conclude a poor Autumn Nations Series which has left head coach Eddie Jones fighting for his job.
One of the few bright spots was Stuart’s try brace off the bench against England to salvage a draw. But his comeback from a knee injury suffered on club duty against Saracens, has been short lived, getting injured in just is second game back.
Speaking in midweek ahead of Bath hosting Harlequins at the Recreation Ground in Round 12 of the 2022/23 Gallagher Premiership, Ferreria told BBC Radio Bristol: “Medics are assessing him to see how long it will be, but it’s not looking good.
“It’s sad for him because he’s come back, done really well, got into the England set up again and now he’s injured again. He’s had a bad run of injuries, hopefully this is his last.”
To complicate matters, earlier this month Bath have released Namibia international tight-head prop Johannes ‘Aranos’ Coetzee who joined the club as temporary injury cover from South African franchise the Cheetahs with D’arcy Rae sidelined.
Coetzee 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.
Ferreria confirmed Bath are also set to be without until Roux until 2023 after he suffered a knee injury in the club’s 31-30 defeat to the Barbarians in a friendly on November 20.
He said: “Quinn did his knee in that game and he’s going to be out for a lengthy spell as well, trying to get it right for hopefully the start of the new year but he’ll be out for some time,” Ferreira added.
“It certainly is not getting easier with the injuries.”
Roux’s injury comes with Bath missing England international second rows Charlie Ewels and Josh Mcnally as well as GJ van Velze. The good news is Dave Attwood is now back from suspension and captained Bath in the Premiership Rugby Cup on Saturday alongside Will Spencer and Ewan Richards in the engine room.
On Monday the Blue, Black and White confirmed former Worcester Warriors full back Jamie Shillcock’s short-term deal at the Rec has come to an end.
Shillcock started on debut against Leicester Tigers and helped Johann van Graan’s side to victory against their age-old rivals.
On his departure, Shillcock said on Instagram: “And just like that my time at Bath Rugby has come to an end.
“Enjoyed the past month massively and thanks for having me, but looking forward to what comes next.”