Coetzee out long-term with 'gutting' ruptured ACL

Jaco Coetzee suffered the injury while diving under the posts to score a try during the Challenge Cup

Bath number eight Jaco Coetzee has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and set to face 12 months on the sidelines.

The South African hit his leg against the post as he scored a try during the Challenge Cup quarter-final win against Gloucester on 13 April.

Coetzee has been one of Bath's key impact players this season, making 21 appearances in all competitions all from the bench.

"Jaco's leg hit the post and it kind of swung around the post, a very unique movement with his leg," director of rugby Johann van Grann told BBC Sport.

"We had quite a few specialists look at all the different mechanisms because you don't get your leg swung around a post too much. He's ruptured his ACL because of that movement. He's done some other small bits within his knee.

"There's different timelines depending on how the operation next week goes, generally speaking it's between nine and 12 months, some people take longer, some people are quicker."

Coetzee signed a new contract in February to remain at the club for the next two seasons and van Graan said his performances this season had been "phenomenal".

"He's a key part of the team, literally in the act of scoring a try it's gone for the season. That's gutting for him, but looking at it in a positive way, if you play this beautiful game of ours you will get injured at some stage," Van Graan said.

"Most importantly he needs to get the operation and then it's a day by day and we'll put him back on the pitch when he's ready to perform again."

Coetzee is the third Bath player to be ruled out with a long-term injury in the past few months, with back Sam Harris also rupturing his ACL in February and England centre Ollie Lawrence rupturing his Achilles during the Six Nations. The trio will not be back in time for the start of the 2025-26 season.

Bath face bottom of the table Newcastle on Saturday knowing a bonus point win would guarantee them a home semi-final in the play-offs.

However they are also set to be without centre Max Ojomoh for "a number of weeks" with an ankle injury, fly-half Orlando Bailey due to a hand injury and winger Will Muir who is still going through a return to play protocol following a head injury after coming off in the win against Exeter.

"Will is feeling a lot better. He will be go through the HIA protocols so he's not available for this weekend," Van Graan said.

"Max picked up an ankle injury so he will be not available for a number of weeks, Orlando Bailey picked up a hand injury, we'll manage him week by week."