‘Racing have some of the world’s best players’

JOSH Bayliss returns from injury to take a place on the bench as Bath Rugby host French giants Racing 92 at the Rec in round three of the European Champions Cup.

Tomorrow’s match should see Bayliss feature in a game for the first time since suffering a thigh injury that has ruled him out for months.

The Blue, Black & Whites are largely unchanged from the team that beat Gloucester Rugby in the Premiership last time out.

Beno Obano and Tom Dunn remain in place in the front row, while tighthead Thomas du Toit switches in from last week’s bench to take the starting position.

Quinn Roux partners Charlie Ewels in the second row, while GJ van Velze and Miles Reid both retain their jerseys on the flanks, with Alfie Barbeary starting at number eight.

Ben Spencer and Finn Russell retain their now familiar partnership at half-back, the latter facing the side he moved from.

In the midfield, Cam Redpath and Ollie Lawrence partner up, while Will Muir, Joe Cokanasiga and fullback Tom de Glanville complete the starting line-up.

Niall Annett, Juan Schoeman and Will Stuart are the front row reserves, with Elliott Stooke, Bayliss and Chris Cloete also offering forward options. Louis Schreuder and Sam Harris are the replacement backs.

Bath head of rugby Johann van

Graan said: “Racing are a quality team and will come all guns blazing.

“They have also got some of the world’s best players in their team.” Bath Rugby: T de Glanville; J Coksanasiga,

O Lawrence, C Repath, W Muir; F Russell, B Spencer; B Obano, T Dunn, T du Toit, Q Roux, C Ewels, GJ van Velze, M Reid, A Barbeary. Replacements: N Annett, J Schoeman, W Stuart, E Stooke, J Bayliss, L Schreuder, S Harris, C Cloete.