Ross Molony to make Bath debut against familiar foe

Former Leinster and Ireland second-row Ross Molony is set to make his Bath debut in a pre-season clash against a rather familiar foe.

Molony – who joined Bath over the summer – faces director of rugby Johann van Graan’s old URC side Munster.

The 30-year-old lock had spent his entire career to this point with Leinster. He clocked up over 150 appearances before making the switch to the English Premiership side.

All Black assistant Scott Hansen talks about the Tony Brown factor

All Black assistant Scott Hansen talks about the Tony Brown factor

The six-foot-six Molony will be hoping to bring his vast experience of playing Munster to The Rec as he looks to establish himself in Bath’s second row.

Molony isn’t the only newbie to feature in what will be Bath’s first run-out of the season.  Sevens specialist Austin Emens joins Molony in making his debut; while Francois van Wyk, Kepu Tuipulotu, Jack Woods and Tyler Offiah are set to make their impact off the pine.

In the forward pack Arthur Cordwell and Kieran Verden [re-signed on short-term contract after being released] will line up on either side of hooker Stewart in the front row.

The aforementioned Molony will partner with hulking South African Jacques du Plessis in the second row.

The back row is made up of Ewan Richards, Thompson Cowan and captain Miles Reid.

The half-back pairing of Louis Schreuder and Orlando Bailey are joined by Will Butt and James Short in the centres. Ruaridh McConnochie and Austin Emens will provide plenty of gas on the wings, while Ciaran Donoghue completes the lineup at fullback.

BATH: 1 Arthur Cordwell, 2 John Stewart, 3 Kieran Verden, 4 Jacques du Plessis, 5 Ross Molony, 6 Ewan Richards, 7 Thompson Cowan, 8 Miles Reid (c), 9 Louis Schreuder, 10 Orlando Bailey, 11 Ruaridh McConnochie, 12 Will Butt, 13 James Short, 14 Austin Emens, 15 Ciaran Donoghue

REPLACEMENT FORWARDS: Niall Annett, Jasper Spandler, Kepu Tuipulotu, Ioan Emanuel, Archie Stanley, Mikey Summerfield, Francois van Wyk, Charlie Ewels, Will Jeanes, Quinn Roux, Jaco Coetzee, Ted Hill, Arthur Green, Ethan Staddon

REPLACEMENT BACKS: Tom Carr-Smith, Ieuan Davies, Finn Russell, Louie Hennessey, Max Ojomoh, Joe Cokanasiga, Tom de Glanville, Luke Graham, Tyler Offiah, Jack Woods

Meanwhile, Van Graan has confirmed his 43-man squad for the season:

Props: Arthur Cordwell, Thomas du Toit, Archie Griffin, Beno Obano, Will Stuart, Francois van Wyk, Kieran Verden

Hooker: Niall Annett, Tom Dunn, Hame Faiva, John Stewart

Lock: Harvey Cuckson, Jacques du Plessis, Charlie Ewels, Ross Molony, Quinn Roux

Back Row: Alfie Barbeary, Josh Bayliss, Jaco Coetzee, Thompson Cowan, Ted Hill, Guy Pepper, Miles Reid, Ewan Richards, Ethan Staddon, Sam Underhill

Scrum-half: Tom Carr-Smith, Neil Le Roux, Louis Schreuder, Ben Spencer

Fly-half: Orlando Bailey, Sam Harris, Finn Russell

Centre: Will Butt, Louie Hennessey, Ollie Lawrence, Max Ojomoh, Cameron Redpath

Wing: Joe Cokanasiga, Regan Grace, Ruaridh McConnochie, Will Muir

Full back: Tom de Glanville, Ciaran Donoghue, Austin Emens