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Henry Arundell lined up for early England homecoming
By Neil Fissler
Bath have lined up a shock deal to lure former England full-back Henry Arundell back to the Gallagher Premiership next season from exile in France with Racing 92.
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Arundell, 22, has been playing in France since the demise of London Irish in June 2023 and is due to be under contract until 2026 after penning a long-term extension shortly after arriving in the French capital.
Bath have had a long-term interest in signing Arundell, who was educated in the former Roman Spa City at Beechen Cliff School before his former army officer father Ralph got a job at Harrow School, securing him a place.
They were interested in signing him last December along with West Country rivals Gloucester, while NRL sides the Wests Tigers and Queensland-based the Dolphins also had a close look, but he opted to stay in France.
RugbyPass understand from sources in the French capital that Bath have reignited their interest in Arundell who could be offered a hybrid RFU contract from England boss Steve Borthwick if he returns from the Top 14 next season.
Borthwick can award 25 enhanced contracts worth around £150k a season, but they only gave out 17 before England kicked off their four-match Autumn Nations Series against the All Blacks.
Arundell started this season strongly, scoring tries in Racing’s opening two games against Castres and Clermont Auvergne but hasn’t crossed the line in his last seven games in all competitions.
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He scored 15 tries for club and country last season, including five for England in their World Cup hammering of minnows Chile and a hat-trick on his Top 14 debut against Toulon at the Stade Mayol.
Arundell would solve a massive problem for Bath, who have been looking to recruit a big-name full-back for next season and have had talks with veteran Springbok Willie Le Roux, while Gloucester’s Santi Carreras has been linked.
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This would be great news for England, but I would have doubts about whether he deserves a hybrid contract. He's not as good as Feyi-Waboso or Freeman, and he might be behind Roebuck and Sleightholme in the pecking order. Behind them Hendy and Elliott are probably at a similar level to Arundell.
He's been consistently disapointing for Racing this year. I'm not saying this reflects his real level but compared to the other English wingers I've watched this autumn, he doesn't look nearly as good.