It seems so far away, yet the new season is slowly creeping up on us. More excitingly, new signings are being announced all over the country and it’s looking to be one of the most exhilarating years in the battle for victory. For those itching for the Premiership to start, it might be good to get to know your club’s new faces a little better.
Bath Rugby just missed out on a Premiership semi-final place and lost in the Amlin Challenge Cup final to Northampton last season, but at least Bath had considerably progressed from the year before, building further on a slow progression over a number of years . Ahead of the 2014/15 season, Mike Ford’s side are welcoming a predominantly young batch of signings. However under the leadership of accomplished captain Stuart Hooper for yet another season, Bath will be hoping to improve even more and finally get their hands on a title.
Bath Rugby Signings
Henry Thomas
Age: 22
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 17st 4lbs
Position: Prop
Fresh off the back of England’s tour of New Zealand earlier this year, Thomas will be hoping to rival David Wilson for the tighthead spot at Bath. The England Under-16’s, 18’s, 19’s and 20’s player scored tries versus Ireland and New Zealand in the 2011 Junior World Championship, and made his senior test debut as a replacement against Argentina in the summer tour of 2013. He moves to Bath from Sale Sharks, achieving 78 caps for them since 2010.
Nick Auterac
Age: 21
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 18st 8lbs
Position: Prop
With his LV=Cup debut in 2011 and Aviva Premiership debut in 2012, the loosehead prop will be joining Bath from Saracens after making 15 appearances for the London based side. At only 21 years old, Auterac also has much international experience having progressed through England Under-18’s squad onto making his Under-20’s debut in 2012. This young talent will certainly fit in well at Bath, and should earn quality game time to establish himself as one of the best up and coming forwards.
Grant Shiells
Age: 24
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 16st 11lbs
Position: Prop
Shiells has earned 53 caps for Newcastle since his debut in 2010, and has played for Scotland Under-19’s and 20’s teams, including the 2009 Junior World Championship. However, he is another prop to be joining the west-country based club, and it seems Mike Ford has a few options where his forwards are concerned. Shiells will be competing for the number one shirt with Nathan Catt, Paul James and fellow newbie Nick Auterac.
Sam Burgess
Age: 25
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 18st 4lbs
Position: Second Row/Prop (in league)
As one of Bath’s most exciting and talked about signings, Burgess has a reputation as one of the most talented English players to grace rugby league. His size and strength are not in compensation for speed or skill, and will be switching from league to union having been a hugely successful second row in rugby league, in the Southern Hemisphere. He has 87 caps for South Sydney Rabbitohs, scoring 23 tries since his 2010 debut. Before his move to Australia, he played three seasons with Bradford Bulls, with 17 tries in 79 games in the English Super League. From 2008-2013 Burgess represented England, including the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.
Luke Arscott
Age: 30
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 16st 5lbs
Position: Fullback
Named as first choice fullback in the Aviva Premiership’s team of the year 2012/13, Arscott will be replacing Nick Abendanon, who left Bath at the end of last season. He joins Bath from his second stint at Exeter Chiefs, where he made his debut in 2002, moving onto Plymouth and then Bristol before returning in 2010. Having scored 35 points in more then 90 appearances for the Chiefs, the fullback will be a solid and reliable choice in Ford’s starting line up.
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