Test stars go straight back into starting XV

JOHANN van Graan has thrown his Six Nations stars straight back into the action for Bath Rugby this weekend with Sale Sharks coming to the Recreation Ground in round 13 of the Gallagher Premiership tomorrow afternoon.

Sam Underhill, Beno Obano, Charlie Ewels, Ben Spencer, Ollie Lawrence and Will Muir all return from England duty, while Finn Russell and Cam Redpath have been with Scotland. Wales debutant Archie Griffen has been named on the bench, with England tighthead Will Stuart given a rest.

Sale Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson has followed suit, naming a side packed full of his international stars, with Manu Tuilagi, George Ford, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Roebuck and Arron Reed in the XV.

Elsewhere, Bevan Rodd makes his first Premiership start of 2024 after recovering from a toe injury and, after making his Sharks bow in last week’s friendly encounter against Northampton, new signing Hyron Andrews features in a Premiership matchday squad for the first time.

Head of rugby Van Graan, said: “We’re looking forward to being back in the Premiership, it’s a competitive season, with positions one to eight in the table being tightly contested, so we know that we are in for some big games in the coming weeks.

“Whenever international players come back into training everyone else lifts their standards as well and it’s so important to us that we recognise that from a Sale point of view, as they have a lot of talent in their squad.” ■ Bath have confirmed that South African lock Jacques du Plessis has signed a contract at the club until the end of the season with an option of staying for the 2024/25 season.

Du Plessis, 30, who can also play on the flank, former rugby league winger Regan Grace, and Vodacom Bulls scrum-half Neil le Roux all arrived at Farleigh House last month to undergo rehabilitation of injuries, with the forward and Grace both making their Blue, Black & Whites debuts in the friendly win against Gloucester Rugby.

Du Plessis was named the club’s player of the match for his efforts in the game, but will not feature against Sale tomorrow.

Van Graan said: “I am excited that Jacques has joined our journey here at Bath Rugby. Credit to both the player and our medical and physical performance team for the work they have put in to get Jacques not only playing but performing.

“I also want to express my thanks to the Bulls in South Africa for their co-operation to enable this to happen. I can’t wait to see Jacques in the Blue, Black and White.”

Previously with the Blue Bulls, for whom he made more than 80 appearances, Du Plessis represented Montpelier in the Top 14 in excess of 100 times, winning the 2015/16 European Challenge Cup.