Ewan Richards will earn his first start for the senior side while Nahum Merigan is in line to make his league debut as a replacement.

In episode 12 of Bath Rugby Unseen, powered by Dyson, the duo chat about the importance of coming through the Academy pathway and what representing the Blue, Black and White means to them.

"It means the world," Richards said.

"You grow up with aspirations of being in an Academy and I was one of the lucky few that have been selected and I've just got to take it with both hands.

"I've never played at Leicester and it's going to special. I'm ready for the opportunity and I can't wait to put my best foot forward."

Merigan added: "If you're an Academy boy or a Bath lad coming through, every opportunity you get to wear the Bath jersey is special, but I think this one might be a bit more special being Bath-Leicester."

Richards and Merigan talk about the influence coaches such as Mark Lilley and Ryan Davis have had on them.

Another influential person within the setup is Academy Manager Craig Lilley who describes the purpose of the pathway.

"The Academy is place within our region which consists parts of Somerset, Dorset and Wilts. Our job is create a pathway to ensure the players with the most potential within our region get the opportunity to develop and maximise their potential as they come up through our pathway, hopefully towards the senior team."

BATH RUGBY UNSEEN EPISODES

EPISODE 1 | FIRST BLOCK OF PRE-SEASON

EPISODE 2 | THE EVOLUTION OF OUR ATTACK

EPISODE 3 | OUR DEFENSIVE MINDSET

EPISODE 4 | THE SET PIECE CONTRIBUTION TO OUR STYLE

EPISODE 5 | THE TEAM SELECTION PROCESS

EPISODE 6 | ALL EYES ON ROUND 1

EPISODE 7 | PULLING ON THE BATH JERSEY

EPISODE 8 | THE VALUE OF S&C

EPISODE 9 | MCCONNOCHIE MIC'D!

EPISODE 10 | HONEST CONVERSATIONS

EPISODE 11 | FROM SEVENS TO XVS

EPISODE 12 | HOMEGROWN OPPORTUNITIES

Bath Rugby Unseen | Episode 12: Homegrown Opportunities

Related News