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Ross Molony to make Bath debut against familiar foe
By Ian Cameron
Former Leinster and Ireland second-row Ross Molony is set to make his Bath debut in a pre-season clash against a rather familiar foe.
Molony - who joined Bath over the summer - faces director of rugby Johann van Graan's old URC side Munster.
The 30-year-old lock had spent his entire career to this point with Leinster. He clocked up over 150 appearances before making the switch to the English Premiership side.
The six-foot-six Molony will be hoping to bring his vast experience of playing Munster to The Rec as he looks to establish himself in Bath's second row.
Molony isn't the only newbie to feature in what will be Bath's first run-out of the season. Sevens specialist Austin Emens joins Molony in making his debut; while Francois van Wyk, Kepu Tuipulotu, Jack Woods and Tyler Offiah are set to make their impact off the pine.
In the forward pack Arthur Cordwell and Kieran Verden [re-signed on short-term contract after being released] will line up on either side of hooker Stewart in the front row.
The aforementioned Molony will partner with hulking South African Jacques du Plessis in the second row.
The back row is made up of Ewan Richards, Thompson Cowan and captain Miles Reid.
The half-back pairing of Louis Schreuder and Orlando Bailey are joined by Will Butt and James Short in the centres. Ruaridh McConnochie and Austin Emens will provide plenty of gas on the wings, while Ciaran Donoghue completes the lineup at fullback.
BATH: 1 Arthur Cordwell, 2 John Stewart, 3 Kieran Verden, 4 Jacques du Plessis, 5 Ross Molony, 6 Ewan Richards, 7 Thompson Cowan, 8 Miles Reid (c), 9 Louis Schreuder, 10 Orlando Bailey, 11 Ruaridh McConnochie, 12 Will Butt, 13 James Short, 14 Austin Emens, 15 Ciaran Donoghue
REPLACEMENT FORWARDS: Niall Annett, Jasper Spandler, Kepu Tuipulotu, Ioan Emanuel, Archie Stanley, Mikey Summerfield, Francois van Wyk, Charlie Ewels, Will Jeanes, Quinn Roux, Jaco Coetzee, Ted Hill, Arthur Green, Ethan Staddon
REPLACEMENT BACKS: Tom Carr-Smith, Ieuan Davies, Finn Russell, Louie Hennessey, Max Ojomoh, Joe Cokanasiga, Tom de Glanville, Luke Graham, Tyler Offiah, Jack Woods
Meanwhile, Van Graan has confirmed his 43-man squad for the season:
Props: Arthur Cordwell, Thomas du Toit, Archie Griffin, Beno Obano, Will Stuart, Francois van Wyk, Kieran Verden
Hooker: Niall Annett, Tom Dunn, Hame Faiva, John Stewart
Lock: Harvey Cuckson, Jacques du Plessis, Charlie Ewels, Ross Molony, Quinn Roux
Back Row: Alfie Barbeary, Josh Bayliss, Jaco Coetzee, Thompson Cowan, Ted Hill, Guy Pepper, Miles Reid, Ewan Richards, Ethan Staddon, Sam Underhill
Scrum-half: Tom Carr-Smith, Neil Le Roux, Louis Schreuder, Ben Spencer
Fly-half: Orlando Bailey, Sam Harris, Finn Russell
Centre: Will Butt, Louie Hennessey, Ollie Lawrence, Max Ojomoh, Cameron Redpath
Wing: Joe Cokanasiga, Regan Grace, Ruaridh McConnochie, Will Muir
Full back: Tom de Glanville, Ciaran Donoghue, Austin Emens
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Latest Comments
Don't think you've watched enough. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
Go to commentsHopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
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