Gloucester Rugby host Bath Rugby on Friday night in Round Four of the 2026/27 Gallagher PREM

Bath Rugby have lost number eight Dan du Preez to a hamstring injury in training ahead of Friday night's West Country derby clash with Gloucester in Round Four of the Gallagher PREM, the club have confirmed.

The summer signing from Sale Sharks missed Saturday's 32-14 defeat at home to Montpellier in the Champions Cup because of the injury, and now Bath's head of medical services, Rory Murray, has confirmed the former Springbok is set to miss the next two league games, with Sale Sharks coming to the Rec after Gloucester.

Discussing the injury with SomersetLive, Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan said: "Unfortunately, he [du Preez] tore his hamstring earlier in the week, so he will be unavailable for a few weeks."

The encouraging news for the Blue, Black and White, who head to Kingsholm having now suffered back-to-back defeats with the Montpellier loss doubling up on the 71-48 loss away at Northampton Saints a fortnight ago, 22-year-old Arthur Green was Bath's standout performer against the French Top 14 side, scoring a sensational solo try.

Jaco Coetzee also made his return from a second ACL injury in the defeat at Franklin's Gardens.

Bath have confirmed there are more reinforcements coming in the pipeline as well, with back-rower Miles Reid nearing the completion of his return-to-play protocol following a failed HIA after a blow early in the contest with Northampton. Reid is expected to be available this weekend.

In the back line, wingers Will Muir and Henry Arundell, plus full-back Tom de Glanville, have resumed elements of training, with their availability assessed on a week-by-week basis.

Muir is yet to play this season as he works his way back from surgery on his shoulder over the summer, while flyer Arundell has been struggling with a back issue. De Glanville has been out with an Achilles issue picked up in the victory against Exeter Chiefs in Round Two of the Gallagher PREM.

Flanker Thompson Cowan remains on track to return from an ACL injury during the Autumn Prem Cup block.

Tighthead prop Billy Sela will return in late November following a pre-season foot injury.

England flanker Sam Underhill is expected to remain sidelined until December following surgery on a bicep injury he suffered in the victory away at Harlequins last month, while Jamie Bhatti is targeting a return in the New Year following forearm surgery.