New role for Cameron Redpath in first Bath appearance since May

Fit-again Cameron Redpath has been handed an entirely new role by Bath this Saturday when he plays his first rugby match since seriously injuring his knee last May. Never before in his 27 previous career starts for Bath and former club Sale has the 22-year-old been chosen to wear the No10 jersey. 

However, the out-half position is precisely the role the Scotland midfielder will fill when his club takes on La Rochelle in the Heineken Champions Cup. The return of Redpath is timely given he is surely determined to build on the single Test cap he earned for his country in last February’s Guinness Six Nations win away to England. 

But it will be interesting to learn what Scotland boss Gregor Townsend will make of the selection of Redpath as the starting Bath out-half in place of Orlando Bailey. 

The inclusion of Redpath, whose Six Nations campaign was ruined by the neck issue that arose after the Calcutta Cup victory at Twickenham, is one of seven changes to his club’s line-up following last Sunday’s first win of this season. 

Only Tom Prydie and Jonathan Joseph remain from the backline that overcame 14-man Worcester at The Rec last Sunday, but there is greater continuity in the pack selection as Darcy Rae and Juan Schoeman replacing the injured pair Will Stuart and Lewis Boyce are the only alterations. 

The Bath media release on their team naming for the match in France hailed the return of Redpath, stating: “Cameron Redpath will make his long-awaited return to the field this weekend. The Scotland international has been rehabilitating since injuring his knee against Sale Sharks back in May and has worked incredibly hard, alongside the club’s medical team, to return to fitness.”

BATH (vs La Rochelle, Saturday)

15. Ruaridh McConnochie; 14. Tom Prydie, 13. Jonathan Joseph, 12. Max Clark, 11. Will Muir; 10. Cameron Redpath, 9. Ben Spencer, 1. Juan Schoeman, 2. Tom Doughty, 3. D'Arcy Rae, 4. Josh McNally, 5. Charlie Ewels (capt), 6. Tom Ellis, 7. Ewan Richards, 8. Josh Bayliss. Reps: 16. Jacques du Toit, 17. Valery Morozov, 18. Johannes Jonker, 19. Will Spencer, 20. Mike Williams, 21. Joe Simpson, 22. Will Butt, 23. Gabe Hamer-Webb