Bath rugby 2025/26 preview

Published on 21 September 2025 at 18:19

Bath

Last season's finish: 1st (Champions)

Director of rugby: Johan Van Graan

Captain: Ben Spencer

Star player: Finn Russell

Young player to watch: Vilikesa Sela

Last season's champions look set to continue their dominance with a squad that has strengthened since winning the league. The additions of Henry Arundell and Santiago Carreras will add to a backline that was already amongst the most effective in the league. The good feeling around the club was heightened last week with the news that Bath's plans for upgrading the recreation ground have finally been accepted by the local council. Perhaps the only disappointing news this summer was the announcement that Lee Blackett would be joining the England coaching staff. Blackett was Bath's attack coach and has been credited with much of their attacking success by both Van Graan and Russell. Bath should remain unaffected given that they can still base their attack around Blackett's system. They also still have an abundance of rugby IQ in Finn Russell, who is probably better equipped to replace Blackett than most coaches.

So. how might Bath look different this season? Frankly, there has been little change. That is understandable given their success since the arrival of Van Graan. Bath's pack is basically the same as last season's apart from the arrival of Dan Frost, who will bring more dynamism from the bench than Bath had last season.

Bath have plenty of depth in the front row, the back row, and at centre. However, depth could be tested in the second row and on the wing. One potential theme for this season could be Bath relying more on some exciting youngsters. The departure of Orlando Bailey to Leicester opens the door for Ciaran Donoghue who had already moved ahead of him in the pecking order by the end of last season. The 22-year-old, who is eligible for Ireland and England, is capable of playing at fly half and fullback which makes him the perfect replacement for the versatile Orlando Bailey.

Kepu Tuipulotu is another youngster who is widely tipped for international success. Like Donoghue, he could be at the centre of a tug-of-war between 2 nations (England and Wales) but he looks set to make a different choice to his sister who is a Welsh international. He was given limited opportunities last season, and faces a harder task this season to make the team, but his talent means that he could become increasingly influential as the season progresses.

Ewan Richards and Vilikesa Sela could also have important parts to play. Richards plays across the second row and back row. He has had success with England at youth level and, at 23-years-old, should now be ready to step into the first team. Particularly in the second row which lacks more depth than other spots. Sela is another exciting youngster. He could have a tougher time making the team but he is already showing good potential. He stands at 6 feet and 3 inches tall and weighs just under 120kg, making him a unique athlete. These players are unlikely to decide the fate of Bath's season, but they'll be crucial to providing depth as the year goes on.

All in all, this is a team that should be looking to repeat their success from last season as well as making a run in the Champions Cup after winning the lesser European competition last season.

Notable ins:

Henry Arundell(Racing 92) - Santiago Carreras(Gloucester) - Dan Frost(Exeter)

Notable outs:

Orlando Bailey(Leicester) - Hame Faiva(Newcastle) - Ruaridh McConnochie(Retired)

Squad (senior squad and senior academy players)

Hooker

Tom Dunn - Dan Frost - Max Pearce - Jasper Spandler - Oscar Thomas - Kepu Tuipulotu

Prop

Ioan Emmanuel - Archie Griffin - Scott Kirk - Beno Obano - Vilikesa Sela - Will Stuart - Mikey Summerfield - Thomas du Toit - Kieran Verden - Francois Van Wyk

Lock

Jack Bennett - Rory Cameron - Harvey Cuckson - Eddie Erskine - Charlie Ewels - Will Jeanes - Ross Molony - Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi - Quinn Roux

Back Row

Alfie Barbeary - Josh Bayliss - Jaco Coetzee - Thompson Cowan - Arthur Green - Ted Hill - Miles Reid - Ewan Richards - Alex Ridgway - Ethan Staddon - George Timmins - Connor Treacey - Guy Pepper - Sam Underhill

Scrum half

Tom Carr-Smith - Ieaun Davies - Neil Le Roux - Bernard Van der Linde - Ben Spencer

Fly half

Ciaran Donoghue - Sam Harris - James Linegar - Finn Russell

Centre

Will Butt - Chris Harris - Jack Harrison - Louie Hennessey - Ollie Lawrence - Max Ojomoh - Cameron Redpath

Wing

Henry Arundell - Joe Cokanasiga - Austin Emens - Charlie Griffin - Tyler Offiah - Will Muir

Fullback

Santiago Carreras - Tom de Glanville - Sam Winters - Jack Woods

Possible XV and bench

1.Beno Obano 2.Tom Dun 3.Thomas Du Toit 4.Charlie Ewels 5.Ross Molony

6.Ted Hill 7.Sam Underhill 8.Alfie Barbeary 9.Ben Spencer 10.Finn Russell

11.Will Muir 12.Max Ojomoh 13.Ollie Lawrence 14.Joe Cokanasiga 15.Santiago Carreras