Mediaboss Marketing

Bath Rugby head to London Irish on Saturday in Round 15 of the Gallagher Premiership down to their third choice fly-half following an injury to Rhys Priestland .

Blue, Black and White director of rugby Stuart Hooper confirmed on Thursday that first choice stand-off Priestland will miss the game after suffering a hamstring injury on Saturday in the victory over Worcester Warriors

With South African Tian Schoeman ruled out for the rest of the season after injuring his knee in the victory away at Newcastle Falcons earlier this month that once again leaves Hooper stretched in the vital fly half position

Earlier in the day Hooper and Bath confirmed the signing of former England international fly-half Danny Cipriani was a free agent having parted company with Gloucester in December.

However Cipriani, 33, will not arrive at Bath until May leaving Hooper relying on Academy product Orlando Bailey this weekend having finished last weekend's 47-22 win over Worcester at 10, or playing centre Josh Matavesi out of position once again having started there twice last season and been moved over later in games on several occasions.

Centre Cam Redpath is making positive progress towards a return from his neck injury and could also be an option over the coming weeks having played very well there in the 33-17 victory against Worcester back in December following injuries to both Priestland and Matavesi inside eight minutes of the game.

Hooper said: "Rhys won't be available this weekend.

"We are awaiting some more scan results for him but he is going to be a few weeks out of the game. "

"The injury is the back of his knee/hamstring, it is soft tissue but we are getting it scanned and making sure we get the right treatment for him and he is not going to be available this week.

That means Bath will also be without their two senior fly-halves for their European Challenge Cup last 16 knockout game away at Zebre on Good Friday, with the club targeting the competition as a chance for silverware.

Young full back Tom de Granville also looks unlikely to feature this weekend at the Brentford Community Stadium having picked up another injury in the victory over Worcester

Hooper would not be drawn on the extent of the de Glanville injury when speaking to the press on Thursday saying that he still needed an assessment on the player however at this stage in the week he has likely named his his team internally and knows whether he will play or not.

He said: "He has got a bit of a leg injury and we are not sure whether it is one we can turn around this week or not."

With Anthony Watson back from England Six Nations duty, Hooper has a prime full back replacement ready in waiting while Ruaridh McConnochie is also another able option in the 15 shirt.

Bath have been bolstered in the forwards but the return of internationals Beno Obano, Will Stuart and Charlie Ewels from England, prop Jamie Bhatti from Scotland and number eight Taulupe Faletau from Wales with the Six Nations finished, all but the rearranged France v Scotland game on Friday night.

Looking ahead to the closing stage of the season Hooper feels his side are well placed to kick on and climb the table and achieve their target of making the four four.

Are you mad about Bath Rugby?

If so, you could receive the latest club news straight to your phone by signing up to our WhatsApp service.

Bath Rugby writer John Evely will send you links to the breaking stories, direct to your mobile, via the easy-to-use app.

Among the things you can expect are transfer news, interviews, match reports, injury updates, team news and live blogs. You could even use it to ask him a question.

If you would like to sign up, save the number07870 507032to your phone (you must do this to receive our messages), then sendBATH RUGBYin a message to that number via WhatsApp. We recommend saving the contact to your mobile as 'Bath Rugby News'.

To unsubscribe at any time, just send STOP BATH RUGBY via WhatsApp to the same number and you will be removed from the service. Your number will not be used for any purpose other than to update you on all things Bath Rugby.

He said: "I think if I reflect on where we have been over the last few weeks and more importantly the energy and the work the lads are doing in the week, I feel like were in a strong position.

"Were in seventh place with some good games to come.

"Most of our squad are back on deck now and pretty healthy so I think were in a good position to go week to week.

"The players massively respond to a week-to-week focus. This week is London Irish and well do everything we can to win that game. If we win that game, well be one step closer, but I believe we can push on and I believe we can make the top four.

View post:
Injury latest: Bath Rugby down to third choice fly-half as Rhys Priestland is ruled out - Somerset Live