Bath captain Ben Spencer ruled out for start of season after shoulder surgery

Bath will begin their Premiership title defence without captain Ben Spencer, who is recovering from shoulder surgery and is set to miss at least the opening rounds of the 2026/27 season. The club confirmed the scrum-half will return ‘later in the autumn,’ a timeline that points to him sitting out the first three league fixtures against Harlequins, Exeter, and Northampton.

Spencer led Bath to the Premiership title in 2025, making his absence a significant blow as the club look to defend their crown. The operation addressed a longstanding issue, but the timing leaves Bath short of their most influential player at the back of the scrum for the season’s opening weeks.

He is not alone in his recovery. Spencer is one of several Bath players nursing shoulder injuries, though the club offered more encouraging news on others: Louie Hennessey, Will Muir, Sam Underhill, Tom Dunn, and Tom de Glanville are all on schedule to be fit for the new campaign.

There is also a positive update on No.8 Jaco Coetzee, who has returned to full team training following the ACL injury he suffered in 2025. His return carries added weight now that Alfie Barbeary has departed for Saracens, leaving Bath in need of a reliable ball-carrier at the back of the scrum.

Tight-head Will Stuart is on course to be available from the start of September, having recovered from the Achilles injury that ended his season in December. His fitness is considered crucial given that Thomas du Toit has returned to South Africa, thinning Bath’s options at tight-head. Fellow tight-head Archie Griffin underwent an exploratory toe procedure during the off-season and is expected back during the opening block of the season.

Loose-head Beno Obano is managing what the club’s head of medical, Rory Murray, described as ‘a significant hamstring strain’ sustained on England duty, and is preparing for the season start. Wales Under-20 internationals Jack Woods, recovering from hamstring surgery, and Thompson Cowan, who had ACL surgery, are both progressing through rehabilitation and are expected to be available for selection before long.

Bath are currently in France for a pre-season training camp ahead of a friendly against Perpignan this Thursday.