Bath injury update: Ben Spencer has undergone shoulder surgery to address a long-standing issue following England’s summer tour. The procedure is one part of a wider rehabilitation picture at the club as players work towards the new season.
Bath said:
“Ben had shoulder surgery to address a long-standing issue following the conclusion of England’s summer tour.”
The operation came after the tour, with the scrum-half’s shoulder issue described as long-standing. There is no need to overcomplicate the immediate takeaway: Spencer has had the procedure, and Bath’s wider injury group is beginning to take shape.
Bath injury update: shoulder group progressing
Several Bath players have also had procedures for shoulder issues in recent months:
- Louie Hennessey
- Will Muir
- Sam Underhill
- Tom Dunn
- Tom de Glanville
That group all missed the end of last season, but appear to be on course for the start of the season. It is an encouraging part of a previous Bath injury update for a squad managing several recoveries at once.
Stuart and Coetzee back in full training
Will Stuart and Jaco Coetzee have returned to full training ahead of the new season after long-term lay-offs. Stuart, a tighthead prop — the front-row player who packs on the right side of the scrum — missed most of last season after rupturing his Achilles tendon.
Coetzee’s absence followed an ACL injury, involving the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee. Their return to full training gives Bath two established forwards moving beyond the rehabilitation stage.
Griffin, Cowan, Woods and Obano
Archie Griffin is set to return during the opening block of the new campaign after an exploratory procedure for a toe issue. Thompson Cowan and Jack Woods are also expected to come back into contention in the near future following long-term ACL and hamstring injuries respectively.
Beno Obano is working with Bath’s medical team after a “significant” hamstring injury suffered while on England duty against the Springboks. He is preparing for the start of the season.
For Bath, the key is not one recovery alone. It is the possibility that a sizeable group can rejoin the training and selection picture across the opening weeks.
