Quinn Roux to return for Bath within the month

Bath Rugby head of rugby Johann van Graan confirmed that Irish international lock Quinn Roux will return to action within the next month. The 35-year-old, who has made 71 appearances for the club, has missed recent matches due to an injury sustained in training. Van Graan said Roux took a knock and is expected to be back on the field soon, potentially featuring in some capacity in the PREM Rugby Cup over the coming weeks.

In Roux’s absence, Bath has relied on younger players to anchor the pack. Twenty-two-year-old Will Jeanes and 20-year-old Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi have started in recent weeks. Van Graan praised their performances, noting that Jeanes has done really well while Opoku-Gyamfi has brought significant power to the team. The coach expressed confidence in both players as they step into senior roles during this period.

Van Graan detailed a physical transformation for Opoku-Gyamfi ahead of the 2026/27 season. The 20-year-old has lost more than 20 kilograms, changing his body shape and increasing his speed. He has also improved his understanding of the game. Van Graan described the player’s development as a great story, citing his experience in a Test match and two U20 World Championships with Italy. The coach stated that Opoku-Gyamfi is a big man now and is poised to become a phenomenal player for both Bath and Italy.

Bath travels to Exeter Chiefs on Saturday for Round Three of the PREM Rugby Cup. The club is looking to secure its first win in the competition after a bye week and a 50-28 loss to Sale Sharks. The team aims to build on the recent performances of its younger forwards as it faces the Chiefs.

The injury situation is less encouraging for hooker Kepu Tuipulotu. The 21-year-old injured his knee while training with England last weekend ahead of the Nations Championship. He met with a surgeon on Tuesday to discuss rehabilitation options. Van Graan indicated that the immediate outlook for Tuipulotu is not as hopeful as it is for Roux.

Loosehead prop Scott Kirk is also dealing with a toe injury. Van Graan said the club is awaiting scan results to determine the timeline for his return. He compared the injury to one suffered by Billy Sela. Van Graan noted that the injury is not a one or two week issue. Bath is currently short on senior loosehead options, with Jamie Bhatti sidelined until the New Year with a broken arm.

Van Graan acknowledged that the team has picked up several injuries in specific positions. He expressed hope that players will return over the next number of weeks, allowing the club to provide updates on the squad’s availability for upcoming fixtures.