Bath confirm Du Preez hamstring injury will rule him out for two Premiership matches

Dan du Preez will sit out Bath’s next two Premiership matches after the club confirmed the back row suffered a hamstring injury in training ahead of last weekend’s 71-48 Champions Cup defeat to Montpellier. The 31-year-old, who joined Bath in the close season, will miss Friday’s West Country derby at Gloucester and the home clash against his former club Sale on Saturday 31 October.

Du Preez had made a promising start to life at the Rec, scoring tries in each of his first two appearances — against Harlequins and Exeter in rounds one and two of the Premiership — before the setback cut short his momentum.

Bath’s back row resources are already stretched. Sam Underhill remains sidelined until at least December with a bicep injury, while Miles Reid missed the Montpellier defeat due to concussion. Reid, however, is close to returning. A club injury update from head of medical services Rory Murray confirmed: “Miles Reid is nearing completion of his return-to-play protocol following concussion and is expected to be available this weekend.”

Reid’s presence will be welcome against a resurgent Gloucester side, particularly given the physical demands of a West Country derby. The flanker had led Bath before his 150th club appearance ended prematurely in the 71-48 defeat to Northampton.

Elsewhere in the Bath injury room, back three players Will Muir, Henry Arundell and Tom de Glanville have resumed elements of training, with their availability being assessed on a week-by-week basis. Prop Billy Sela is targeting a return in late November after a pre-season foot injury, while fellow prop Jamie Bhatti is not expected back until the New Year following biceps and forearm surgery. Thompson Cowan remains on course to return during the Autumn Premiership Cup block, which begins away to Exeter on 7 November.