Bath raid rivals to sign four players
Bath Rugby have raided Premiership rivals for three players and signed another from local rivals Cornish Pirates – all four are English-qualified.
Lewis Boyce will join the Blue, Black and White following two seasons with Harlequins. The 22-year-old has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting loosehead props in the country and was rewarded with a place in Eddie Jones’ 35-man squad for England’s Six Nations campaign last year.
“I’m really looking forward to continuing my development with Bath Rugby. I’ve hugely enjoyed my time at Harlequins and am fully focused on the next five months as there is a lot of rugby still to be played this season with the club challenging strongly on a number of fronts.” Boyce said.
Christian Judge arrives in the West Country from Cornish Pirates and comes with Gallagher Premiership pedigree having spent the season on loan at reigning Gallagher Premiership champions Saracens. The 25-year-old tighthead has made 11 appearances to date for Mark McCall’s side, his most recent coming in the 10-28 victory over Lyon in the Heineken Champions Cup.
“I’ve had a great experience this season with Saracens – it’s not only helped to develop my all-round game but given me that world-class competition week in, week out. To have the opportunity to come to Bath next season is huge for my career, and one that I’m relishing.” Judge said.
Continue reading below…
Watch: Eddie Jones on his 35-man England squad for the Six Nations
Will Stuart joins the club having come through the Wasps Academy, with the tighthead prop making his first team debut during the 2017/18 season. The front rower featured in England’s triumphant World Rugby U20 Championship in 2016, and has continued to show his promise for his club side making 24 appearances.
“There is a great deal of emphasis placed on developing young players at the Club, which was fundamental in my decision to move to Bath. I feel there is no better place for me to learn and I have no doubt that I can make big strides forward as a player.” Stuart commented.
Bath will also welcome Mike Williams from Leicester for the 2019/20 season. Comfortable across both the second row and back row, the 27-year-old has spent the last three and a half seasons with the Tigers appearing 70 times. At 6ft 5 and 18 stone, Williams will add a considerable physical presence to the squad.
Reflecting on his move Williams said “I’ve played against Bath on a number of occasions during my time with Worcester and Leicester, so to be able to pull on the shirt at the Rec for the first time will be a really special moment. The squad for 19/20 and beyond looks very strong and I’m excited to be part of that.”
Director of Rugby, Todd Blackadder said: “We’re delighted to bring in four quality players, who will bring significant strength to the pack going into next season. They’re all players who are aspiring to achieve, and that’s exactly the ambition we share as a Club.
“We are going to go into next season even stronger as a squad, and Lewis, Christian, Will and Mike will play a huge role for us moving forward. They have a real hunger to develop and have the traits we look for to enhance the competitive environment both on the training field and matchday.”
Comments on RugbyPass
smith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
36 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
36 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
36 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
36 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
36 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
36 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
36 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
36 Go to comments