Bath lock Richards is 'growing his game' - Robinson

Bath academy graduate Ewan Richards has led the side to two Premiership Rugby Cup wins

Bath lock Ewan Richards is growing "everything" about his game, said assistant coach Andy Robinson after he skippered the side to a cup win on Saturday.

The 22-year-old captained a young Bath side for their 12-try 78-19 Premiership Rugby Cup victory against neighbours Bristol Bears at the Recreation Ground.

Richards, who came through the Bath academy, has made one Premiership appearance this season from the replacements bench.

"Every time you perform like that you're putting yourself in the discussion with all the coaches," Robinson, who is taking charge of the side for the cup, told BBC Radio Bristol.

"What a game that he had as captain. The way that he's growing as a player - carrying hard, being very good in the line-out, everything about his game is growing - delighted for him."

Bath have taken maximum points from their first two group games in the competition, and lead Pool D as favourites to progress to the knock-out stages.

Richards has made 35 appearances for Bath during his career but most from the bench in recent seasons and he spent part of last season on loan at Championship side Cambridge.

Richards said he is to keep "working hard" to try and get into the Premiership matchday 23.

"We've got some quality players at the club and my job is trying to keep working hard and pushing them out of the team," he said.

"That's where I want to play. these opportunities are giving that to me and I'm loving my rugby at the minute."

Bath however are to be without teenage prop Billy Sela for up to two months after he went off with a shoulder injury during the second half.

Sela, 19, made his first Premiership appearances for the club this season and had been called up to the 24-player England A side for their game against Australia A this Sunday.

"You always got to look with shoulders, take a bit of time, see where it is. Billy's got so much credit over the last year from how he's growing, we'll wait and see what the issue is. We're lucky that we've got three, four tightheads of real quality," Robinson said.

"We'll see what it is and hopefully he'll get whatever's needed for that shoulder and will be back in a month to two months."