Bath Rugby ruled out of Finn Russell ahead of Gallagher Premiership semi-final
Santiago Carreras to start at number 10 as director of rugby Johann van Graan confirms injury blow ahead of Recreation Ground fixture.
Bath Rugby have confirmed that Scotland international fly-half Finn Russell is ruled out of their Gallagher Premiership semi-final against the Exeter Chiefs. The decision ends any lingering hope from director of rugby Johann van Graan that the playmaker would be available for the play-off encounter at the Recreation Ground.
Russell missed the final two rounds of the regular season with a tight calf and has now been deemed not sufficiently fit to feature in the high-stakes match. Argentina international Santiago Carreras has been named to start at number 10 in his place.
The injury absence is compounded by the unavailability of England international Guy Pepper, a significant blow to Bath’s back row options. To address personnel changes, Tom Dunn and Quinn Roux return to the starting lineup after serving suspensions, with Van Graan opting for his usual six forwards to two backs bench split.
Exeter Chiefs are also managing personnel issues ahead of the fixture. Back rower Ethan Roots is unavailable as he progresses through return-to-play protocols following a head injury sustained against Saracens last weekend. Greg Fisilau returns to the starting lineup in his place, while Immanuel Feyi-Waboso remains out after undergoing recent facial surgery.
The winner of the semi-final at the Recreation Ground will advance to face either Northampton or Leicester in the final at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium next week. The first semi-final between the East Midlands rivals is scheduled for Friday night.
Bath XV to face Exeter Chiefs: 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Thomas du Toit; 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Charlie Ewels; 6 Josh Bayliss, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Alfie Barbeary; 9 Ben Spencer (c), 10 Santi Carreras; 11 Henry Arundell, 12 Max Ojomoh, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 14 Joe Cokanasiga; 15 Tom de Glanville. Replacements: 16 Kepueli Tuipulotu, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Vilikesa Sela, 19 Ross Molony, 20 Ted Hil; 21 Bernard van der Linde, 22 Cameron Redpath; 23 Miles Reid.
Exeter XV: 1 Scott Sio, 2 Max Norey, 3 Josh Iosefa-Scott; 4 Dafydd Jenkins (capt.), 5 Andrea Zambonin; 6 Tom Hooper, 7 Christ Tshiunza, 8 Greg Fisilau; 9 Stephen Varney, 10 Harvey Skinner; 11 Campbell Ridl, 12 Len Ikitau, 13 Henry Slade, 14 Paul Brown-Bampoe; 15 Olly Woodburn. Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Ethan Burger, 18 Bachuki Tchumbadze, 19 Rusi Tuima, 20 Ross Vintcent; 21 Tom Cairns, 22 Zack Wimbush, 23 Ben Hammersley.
