Bath student Wheeler set for pro debut as Arundell and De Glanville return against Sale

University of Bath student Claudius Wheeler is in line for his professional debut after being named among the replacements for Bath’s Premiership home fixture against Sale Sharks at The Rec on Saturday, 31 October, kick-off 15:05.

Wheeler, 22, comes into the matchday 23 as cover for loosehead prop Beno Obano following a toe injury to Scott Kirk. He could find himself packing down alongside fellow University of Bath alumnus Archie Griffin, who starts at tight-head despite having been in camp with Wales earlier in the week.

The headline returns come at the back three, where Henry Arundell and Tom de Glanville are restored to left wing and full-back respectively after spells on the sidelines. De Glanville’s comeback is particularly well-timed given that Santi Carreras suffered a season-ending injury at Gloucester last Friday.

Bath head coach Johann van Graan has been forced into further reshaping of his back row. Guy Pepper joins Dan du Preez and Sam Underhill on the injury list after rolling his ankle in the derby defeat at Kingsholm, meaning Scotland international Josh Bayliss starts at No.8 for the first time since round three of last season, with Ted Hill and Miles Reid occupying the flanks.

In total, van Graan has made seven personnel changes to the XV that faced Gloucester — three in the forwards and four in the backs — with captain Ben Spencer retaining the armband at scrum-half.

Bath Rugby vs Sale Sharks — Saturday, 31 October, The Rec (KO 15:05)

Starting XV: 1 Beno Obano, 2 Dan Frost, 3 Archie Griffin, 4 Will Jeanes, 5 Charlie Ewels, 6 Ted Hill, 7 Miles Reid, 8 Josh Bayliss, 9 Ben Spencer (c), 10 Finn Russell, 11 Henry Arundell, 12 Max Ojomoh, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 15 Tom de Glanville.

Replacements: 16 Tom Dunn, 17 Claudius Wheeler (debut), 18 Will Stuart, 19 Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi, 20 Ewan Richards, 21 Bernard van der Linde, 22 Louie Hennessey, 23 Jaco Coetzee.