Rugby How Bath and Bristol may line up for huge play-off showdown at the Rec

T is semi-final week as Bath Rugby host derby rivals Bristol Bears at the Recreation Ground on Friday night.

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Ahead of the big game, South West rugby writer John Evely takes a closer look at who will likely do battle at the Recreation Ground in the play-off game.

BATH RUGBY BACKS

BATH’S backline pretty much picks itself, unless Scotland international centre Cam Redpath has recovered from his ankle injury in which case he could get dropped into the mid-field for Will Butt.

Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan was keeping tight-lipped about the injury status of his players in his midweek press conference, but whoever lines up in the centres will need to be able to combat the power of Bristol’s key man Benhard Janse van Rensburg who is so important to them getting front-foot ball. Max Ojomoh and Will Butt have both been outstanding when called upon this season.

Full-back is potentially another position up for debate, with Ciaran Donoghue the man of the moment, but I think the more experienced Tom de Glanville will get the nod with Donoghue potentially getting one of the likely two backs spots amongst the replacements as he can cover 10, 15 and wing.

15 Tom de Glanville; 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Max Ojomoh, 12 Will Butt, 11 Will Muir; 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben Spencer.

BATH RUGBY FORWARDS