Bath squad (backs): O Barkley, L Best, T Cheeseman, A Crockett, S Danielli, S Davey, R Fleck, J Maddock, C Malone, M Perry, M Tindall, N Walshe, M Wood. (Forwards): D Barnes, A Beattie, D Bell, S Borthwick, G Delve, C Goodman, Z Feaunati, R Fidler, R Hawkins, J Hudson, J Humphreys, M Lipman, C Loader, L Mears, J Scaysbrook, D Smith, M Stevens.
Loader Set For Debut
Chris Loader will not have to travel far to make his Bath debut after being named to face the Neath-Swansea Ospreys in his hometown on Thursday night.
The 18-times capped Wales prop still lives in Swansea despite joining the Zurich Premiership league winners in the summer following the demise of the Celtic Warriors.
And that has made him all the more eager to make a big impression in his first game out on both the home crowd and coach John Connolly.
“It will be a huge game for me, I know for a fact that the Ospreys boys are chomping at the bit to get stuck into us and I am under no illusions that the game will be a very tough one,” said 30-year-old Loader.
“From a personal point of view I need to play well in order for me to walk the streets of Swansea with me head held high.”
Connolly, who was head coach at Swansea when the club went into administration two years ago, has also named Wales internationals Jonathan Humphreys and Gareth Delve in his 30-man squad for their final pre-season game.
Humphreys has been named captain for the new season while Delve, 21, played in both games during Bath’s recent tour of South Africa as he battles back from surgery.
The promising back-rower, long considered a Wales international in waiting, underwent an operation on a calf problem after missing all of last season following knee reconstruction and a shoulder operation.
Connolly said: “We have the new guys plus those coming back from injuries all pushing for a place in the side, so there is still a lot to play for. It was great to see Gareth making a return in South Africa and he will be in the mix for the opening league game against Northampton.”
He added: “The Ospreys will be tough, there is no doubt about that. They are a Heineken Cup side loaded with internationals and have what is an extremely effective forward unit and I am sure that it will be a very good test for us.”
England pair Ollie Barkley and World Cup winner Mike Tindall have also been included.
