Cipriani must wait for Bath bow after Priestland chosen to face Sale
DANNY Cipriani must wait at least another week to make his Bath debut after being omitted from the squad picked for tonight’s clash against Sale.
Outgoing Wales international Rhys Priestland has been chosen at fly-half for the Gallagher Premiership showdown at the Recreation Ground after winning his battle with a significant hamstring injury.
Nineteen-year-old Orlando Bailey drops to the bench to accommodate Priestland’s return to the starting XV, but there is no place among the 23 for Cipriani.
Cipriani began training with Bath this week having agreed a contract that covers the rest of this season and the 2021-22 campaign, but the 33-year-old has not played since an appearance for Gloucester last year.
He left Kingsholm in December and having taken a break from the game, has signed as a replacement for Priestland, who joins the Cardiff Blues on a long-term deal this summer.
Prop Will Stuart misses out after taking a bang to his jaw, so Henry Thomas fits in at tighthead, but back rows Sam Underhill and Zach Mercer return after being rested for the derby defeat by Bristol.
Hooker Tom Dunn’s season is over after he received a four-match ban for the red card incurred after a dangerous tackle against the Bears so South African Jacques du Toit makes his first start in a side captained by Charlie Ewels.
Ben Curry, the twin brother of England star Tom, returns to Sale’s bench for the first time since damaging his shoulder in November.
The Sharks sit third in the Premiership table and are level on 59 points with fourth-placed Harlequins with four rounds of the regular season left.
“Sale’s obvious strengths are in their power and their ability to carry the ball with their forward pack, but also in the back line,” said Bath boss Stuart Hooper.
“They have powerful ball carriers and, in Faf de Klerk and Raphael Quirke, they have nines that work very well on the back of momentum gained from those big guys.”