Bath head to Bordeaux‑Begles for the Champions Cup semi‑final with a crippled half‑back line. Ben Spencer withdrew on the day of the Harlequins match, nursing a shoulder problem, and backup Bernard van der Linde underwent ankle surgery after a brief Premiership debut. Tom Carr‑Smith now stands as the only senior scrum‑half fit to start. The coaching staff hopes the limited options will not compromise their attacking strategy.

The injury list opens a door for 18‑year‑old Isaac Mears, son of former Bath and Lions hooker Lee Mears. He signed his first professional contract earlier this month and has been starring for the University of Bath’s dominant student side. Van Graan has already promoted him into the senior squad, making a debut plausible. His rapid rise offers Bath a home‑grown alternative to costly signings.

Van Graan hinted he may even experiment with a non‑traditional nine, recalling South Africa’s ‘seven‑one’ bench gamble in the 2023 World Cup final. He stressed the squad’s ability to adapt, saying the team will either field a recovered Spencer or rely on the youthful Mears. Such flexibility could prove decisive against Bordeaux‑Begles’ seasoned French unit. Either route confirms Bath’s depth ahead of a historic semi‑final.