Bath v Bristol Bears: Team News ahead of derby day under the floodlights

Bath Rugby host Bristol Bears at the recreation ground tonight in the 23/24 Gallagher Premiership as 130-year rivalry takes centre stage under the lights.

The home side come into this fixture on top form after defeating local rivals Gloucester 27-45 in convincing fashion, placing them in third position in the table.

The Bears will be wanting to regain their momentum after losing their last three fixtures following victories in the opening two rounds, they find themselves sitting seventh.

All set for another derby showdown! 💥

Who's got a ticket for The Rec tonight? pic.twitter.com/J5QsOoC0c8

— Bristol Bears 🐻 (@BristolBears) November 17, 2023

Last time the two sides met was also at the Recreation ground, with Bristol coming out the winners, scoring fifteen to Bath’s thirteen.

All tries in the last fixture came in the first half.

The two sides have announced their lineups for the derby fixture.

𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 🔥

Another chapter in the epic rivalry between Bath Rugby & Bristol Bears awaits.

With limited seating available, secure your place at tonight's clash at The Rec 👉 https://t.co/CTv7khqA7z pic.twitter.com/fuU1v6BQVA

— Bath Rugby (@BathRugby) November 17, 2023

The Bath Lineup:

1. Beno Obano, 2. Tom Dunn, 3. Will Stuart, 4. Fergus Lee-Warner, 5. Charlie Ewels, 6. Miles Reid, 7. Sam Underhill, 8. Jaco Coetzee, 9. Ben Spencer ©, 10. Finn Russell, 11. Will Muir, 12. Cameron Redpath, 13. Ollie Lawrence, 14. Joe Cokanasiga, 15. Matt Gallagher.

Bristol Bears lineup:

1. Ellis Genge , 2. Gabriel Oghre, 3. Max Lahiff, 4. Ed Holmes , 5. Joe Batley, 6. James Dun, 7. Harry Thacker, 8. Magnus Bradbury, 9. Harry Randall ©, 10. Callum Sheedy, 11. Gabriel Ibitoye, 12. Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 13. Virimi Vakatawa, 14. Piers O’Conor, 15. Rich Lane.

What the head coaches say:

Bath Head, Johann Van Gran on the derby: “Every derby is important for the Premiership, and we love to be involved in that, but we start back to zero this weekend and hopefully we’re preparing well for what’s coming on Friday night.”

Bears Head, Pat Lam team news: “It was always the plan that Ellis would come in two weeks after the World Cup. He has had a good break and he is raring to go so he is available for selection this week and Max and Kyle [Sinckler] game in last week.”