Jack Walker will captain Bath Rugby for their season opener against Exeter Chiefs in the Premiership Rugby Cup on Saturday at Sandy Park, kick-off 15:00.
Gabriel Hamer-Webb, Nahum Merigan and Max Ojomoh, who all signed long-term contracts in the Academy ahead of the 2019/20 season make their first team debuts. The trio form part of the Club’s commitment to deliver a squad of 50% homegrown talent by 2023.
Walker starts at hooker and will be joined by Will Vaughan and Sam Nixon in the front row. Levi Douglas will line-up alongside first team debutant Rhys Davies in the second row.
Jack Davies and Miles Reid start at blindside and openside flanker respectively, with Merigan at number eight.
Chris Cook and Alex Davies form an experienced half-back combination for the trip to face last year’s Gallagher Premiership finalists. Ojomoh will wear the number 12 jersey tomorrow afternoon, with Jackson Willison outside him in the midfield.
Hamer-Webb and Levi Davis occupy the wing positions, whilst Tom de Glanville makes his first team bow at full-back.
Bath Rugby team to face Exeter Chiefs
15. Tom de Glanville
14. Levi Davis
13. Jackson Willison
12. Max Ojomoh
11. Gabriel Hamer-Webb
10. Alex Davies
9. Chris Cook
1. Will Vaughan
2. Jack Walker (c)
3. Sam Nixon
4. Levi Douglas
5. Rhys Davies
6. Jack Davies
7. Miles Reid
8. Nahum Merigan
Replacements
16. Ross Batty
17. Arthur Cordwell
18. Simone Elrick
19. Tom Jeanes
20. Elliott Stooke
21. Ollie Fox
22. Aled Brew
23. George Worboys
Exeter Team: 15. Max Bodilly, 14. Olly Woodburn, 13. Tom Wyatt, 12. Tom Hendrickson, 11. James Short, 10. Gareth Steenson (c), 9. Sam Maunder, 1. Billy Keast, 2. Jack Innard, 3. Marcus Street, 4. Jannes Kirsten, 5. Stan South, 6. Josh Caulfield, 7. James McRae, 8. Rus Tuima
16. Jordon Poole, 17. Danny Southworth, 18. Alfie Petch, 19. Cory Teague, 20. Lewis Pearson, 21. Joe Snow, 22. Harvey Skinner, 23. Barrie Karea
Tickets for Bath Rugby's first home game of the season against Worcester Warriors on Saturday 28th September are on sale now. You can buy tickets online here, or call the Ticket Office on 01225 536 900. A range of hospitality packages are also on sale for the fixtures and you can also speak to the team on 01225 325200 (option 1).