Bath Rugby will kick off their 2025\/26 Gallagher Premiership campaign without four of their biggest names, head of rugby Johann van Graan has confirmed.<\/p>\n
While Bath\u2019s England internationals \u2014 Max Ojomoh, Will Muir, Ben Spencer, Charlie Ewels, Guy Pepper, Ted Hill and Sam Underhill \u2014 are set to feature in the league opener away at Harlequins on September 26, two British & Irish Lions won\u2019t be available.<\/p>\n
Join the\u00a0RUCK\u2019s WhatsApp community here<\/a>\u00a0and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.1<\/a><\/p>\n Fly-half Finn Russell and tighthead Will Stuart have both been handed extended rest periods following their summer exploits and will not feature until October. That rules the pair out of the trip to Quins as well as Bath\u2019s first home clash against Sale Sharks on October 3.<\/p>\n Adding to the absentees, World Cup-winning Springbok Thomas du Toit and new signing Santiago Carreras \u2014 who joins from Gloucester \u2014 will remain on international duty for South Africa and Argentina respectively in The Rugby Championship, which runs until October 4.<\/p>\n Speaking at the club\u2019s season launch, van Graan explained: \u201cThen it\u2019s got to be five weeks of preparation, which means most of the guys will be available for the first game against Quins.<\/p>\n \u201cFinn and Will have to wait until Round Three of the Premiership, which is Lions Protocol.\u201d<\/p>\n Before the big Premiership kick-off, Bath will sharpen up with three friendlies and a Premiership Rugby Cup tie.<\/p>\n Van Graan added: \u201cThen we\u2019re going to go to Ireland for the week to go play Munster, spend some good time together, and then come back and play against Worcester on the Friday evening, followed by Exeter for the start of the PREM Cup on the Saturday. So yeah, we\u2019ve got a big month ahead in terms of preparation, and we\u2019re looking forward to it.\u201d<\/p>\n EDITORS PICKS:<\/p>\n Owen Farrell and Two Springboks Named on Controversial \u2018Most Hated\u2019 Rugby List<\/p>\n Rugby might be a game rooted in respect, but that doesn\u2019t mean every player is a fan favourite. <\/p>\n In fact, some names seem to exist purely to wind up the opposition \u2014 whether it\u2019s for dirty play, endless sledging, off-field antics, or just being\u00a0toodamn good.<\/p>\n With old villains like Johnny Sexton and Dan Biggar hanging up their boots, a fresh crop of love-to-hate stars has taken over. And yes, two Springboks have made the cut \u2014 with one\u00a0storming\u00a0to the top of the list.<\/p>\n A new fan poll has settled the debate (for now): these are the players supporters\u00a0love\u00a0to loathe. And the name at number one? It might just shock you<\/p>\n #6.\u00a0Eben Etzebeth (South Africa\/Sharks)<\/p>\n Position:\u00a0Lock A walking menace on the field, Etzebeth is the definition of a player you love on your team and loathe on the opposition. Brutal in the tackle, master of the dark arts in the ruck, and never far from an off-the-ball scrap. His sheer physical dominance and fiery temperament make him a nightmare for rivals.<\/p>\n That being said, many fans admire his old-school enforcer mentality \u2014 just as long as he\u2019s not slamming your favourite player into next week.<\/p>\n RUCK Verdict: #5.\u00a0Owen Farrell (England\/Racing 92)<\/p>\n Position:\u00a0Fly-Half\/Centre Once the undisputed No.1 on this list, Farrell has seen the hate ease up a bit since stepping away from England duty in 2024. But don\u2019t be fooled \u2014 his infamous \u201cshoulder-first\u201d tackling style, fiery competitiveness, and snarling leadership still rile up fans and pundits alike.<\/p>\n Farrell\u2019s critics point to repeated high tackles and lenient disciplinary treatment, while supporters admire his elite mentality and unwavering loyalty. It\u2019s sad his world-class talent isn\u2019t recognised due to his constant role as the pantomime villain, as a lot of the 2025 Lions coverage has shown.<\/p>\n RUCK Verdict: CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO<\/a><\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery player has got to have a five-week off-season, which all the players that are now back in have had.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll play against Glasgow, which we\u2019ll use purely as a training game.<\/p>\n
Caps:\u00a0131 (as of 2025)
Major Honours:\u00a0\ud83c\udfc6 2x Rugby World Cup winner (2019, 2023)<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the game\u2019s last true hard men \u2014 and one of the most divisive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Caps:\u00a0112
Major Honours:\u00a0\ud83c\udfc9 England captain, 3x Six Nations titles, 3x Lions tours<\/p>\n
\u201cStill England\u2019s pantomime villain \u2014 unless he\u2019s your guy. Then he walks on water.\u201d<\/p>\n