By shipwrecked
August 4 2026

Bath's seamless senior squad to-academy-to-university pathway is arguably the strongest in England right now, producing a group of players who are already appearing in England U20 environments, BUCS Super Rugby title-winning teams, and senior Bath squads.  Based on live viewing of university games and u20s rugby here is a personal view of the three quarters players who impressed last season plus also a flyer. Not all will breakthrough.

Sam Winters Age: 18 Full Back

A full back from Harrow School who joined University of Bath as a student-athlete. He represented England U18 including three appearances on the South Africa tour. 
Winters is viewed very highly inside the Bath pathway based on his England U18 selection and captaining Harrow School during a period when they won major national school competitions. He was signed directly into Bath's senior academy. 
Bath academy staff specifically highlighted his attacking ability "with ball in hand" and his performances for England U18s. 
Sam Winters sits as a modern attacking fullback capable of covering wing. The fact he was already being discussed among England's stronger age-grade back-three prospects heading into U20 consideration indicates his progress and he is a contender in a highly competitive back-three group.
To my mind he is reminiscent of another young Bath full back, Sam Harris who recently left to join Exeter Chiefs. One of his strengths at full back is the way he inserts himself into the back line easily with his pace.

Tyler Offiah: Age 20 – Closest to Senior Breakthrough

Attended Wellington College then joined University of Bath studying Politics and International Relations. Plays on the wing.
Offiah is the benchmark academy prospect in this group. He has already progressed through England U18, U19 and U20 programmes and has made senior Bath appearances. He was included in England's U20 set-up while still developing through the Bath pathway. 
One of the reasons he has progressed so quickly is his physical profile. He is well suited for the profile of a modern wing. By that I mean he is not one-dimensional simply waiting for a pass out wide but is a versatile athlete, being defensively sound, dominant in the air and ready to join the line at any opportunity. He is a proven finisher and is trusted in senior environments. He has consistently moved up age-grade levels faster than most peers having a high ceiling and is praised by Bath coaches for his spatial awareness. This season he has used his physicality in his finishes and has a trademark T-time try scoring celebration. He has senior Bath appearances already on his CV and scored on his Prem debut against Saracens.

Bailey Cutts: Age 19 Centre (13)

Not seen him play live yet so I’ve had to go on records and an interview he gave recently. This inclusion is my flyer for next season. It seems clear that JvG has been looking for a young outside centre given his interest in Jordan Venter and more recently Tyler Mason who came on a short-term schoolboy evaluation and scored a brilliant try in a 60–19 victory in the Prem Cup before returning to SA. A class youngster bound to progress in S.A!

When Cutts visited Bath's base at Farleigh House he was blown away by the set-up and a conversation with head of rugby Johann van Graan sealed the deal.

"At the end of the day I had a meeting with Johann van Graan. That was a big shock talking to the senior head of rugby on the first day. We had a good half an hour meeting with van Graan up there. He was pleased that I'd had the opportunity to go over with Bath. His philosophy is when you are playing and training you concentrate on the rugby but at the same time it is good to have a beer with the boys and spend quality time with your family. He is a very inspirational guy." 
He continues "The first day I went up I did a skills session with the backs and went into the senior meeting with all of the backs. "It was surreal. The likes of Finn Russell and Henry Arundell welcomed me and shook my hand straight away."
Cutts, who will study sports performance, will develop his skills with the University of Bath in BUCS Super Rugby. "I rate my defence a lot," said Cutts and when asked what his point of difference is stated, “My defensive reads out in the backs and then also my attack. I play quite freely. I like to get my hands free and offload. I'm also explosive.”
Cutts was in the Wales squad in the World Rugby Junior World Championship 2026 Match where they beat Georgia and Uruguay and lost a high scoring game to eventual champions South Africa.

Will Roué Age: 21 Fly Half, Full Back.

Roué's primary position is fly-half although he can also cover full-back and also inside centre. The Times recently described him as a "quite exceptional goalkicker", in the 2026 BUCS Super Rugby Milk Championship final he maintained a 100% conversion record.
There were strong rumours that he would be awarded an academy position. However this has not come as yet. He shows considerable game management with strong tactical understanding and decision-making as well as composure under pressure. His record for the Uni is of kicking points and controlling territory. Bath University's BUCS programme is one of the strongest and he slotted in seamlessly with Bath Rugby's environment when needed. 
Bath have not had a young backup to Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the goal kicking department for a while and although Ciarran Donoghue shows real potential he does not yet have Roué’s kicking record..
For me I suspect there simply isn’t room for another 10 at Bath as he would be behind Russell, Carreras, and Donoghue at 10 and Tom de Glanville, Winters and Carreras at 15. But if Carreras left? The other aspect to consider of course is the young James Linegar. Bath has an embarrassment of riches here.

Isaac Mears Age: 18 Scrum Half

Our rugby club seems to have developed a trend in recent years of bringing on the progeny of past stars with the likes of Tom de Glanville son of Phil, Max Ojomoh son of Steve and Tyler Offiah son of Martin. This continues with Isaac Mears who is of course the son of Lee. All of these the parents having at least played for England whatever the code. Mears has recently attained an academy place in the Bath squad.
"Mearsy" has been present in 17 out of 18 games to secure a historic BUCS Super Rugby league and cup double. This success led to his call-up to captain the England Under-19s against Japan having stood out for the unbeaten England u18s previously. At one point he was he was even fast-tracked as emergency scrum-half cover for Bath's Champions Cup semi-final when injury to Ben Spencer threatened.
Mears generates real intensity from the base of the ruck, thriving on quick-ball to develop attacking structures. He has developed his kicking game and makes no secret of the fact that he has been mentored by Ben Spencer to good effect. His captaincy at international level indicates he has both communication skills and game management.
Mears has had the luxury of playing this past season with two excellent fly halves in James Linegar and Will Roue. Mears and Linegar are still very early in their careers and when selected together often Will Roué moves to centre in a guiding role that has allowed both young talents to express themselves.
As a long-term prospect, a partnership between Mears and Linegar seems likely, the problem for Bath will be in accommodating both Linegar and Roué going forward. Will Roué is an exceptional fly-half in his own right.

Honourable mention has to go to Freddy Rossigneux: he has become one of the standout players in the University of Bath side that won the 2025-26 BUCS Super Rugby title. He played fullback throughout the campaign and produced decisive performances in key matches. 
Freddy scored in the BUCS Championship semi-final in an extraordinary manner, running it back from deep he was smashed in midfield by the Durham defence. He simply got up collected the ball and surged forward 40m to score, he was player of the match in that title-clinching victory over Durham. 
His strengths are a running threat from deep, excellent support lines, strong attacking instincts and consistent try-scoring from fullback. Problem is there isn’t room for everyone.

Bath Academy & University of Bath Talent Watch (2026) -Backs

Discussion started by Comeonmylovers.co.uk (IP Logged), 04/08/2026 09:45

Comeonmylovers.co.uk
04/08/2026 09:45

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P G Tips
04/08/2026 09:47

Thanks sw.
There may not be room for all, but it is a nice position to be in.

The future's bright. The future's Blue, Black & White!

PG

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shipwrecked
04/08/2026 10:07

Apologies for the out of date Will Roue info, at the time of writing he hadn't been awarded a place. Also Sam Winters hadn't scored his amazing try against the "Baby Blacks". in the u20 tournament If you haven't seen it, it's right at the beginning of these highlights.




Tyler Offiah
Opinion is based on assumptions, whereas fact is based on observation or research.

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P G Tips
04/08/2026 12:43

Santi Carerras on Argentina duty at start of season:
[www.somersetlive.co.uk]

He may miss only one game, but with Finn also expected to rest there should be an opportunity for one of Roue or Linegar to back up Donoghue in a PRC or friendly tie.

PG

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theredseat
04/08/2026 13:12

Any idea how Declan Treacey fits in with this group? Likely to be a fast mover or does he need more time?

Have barely seen any of him but can imagine if his skillset is similar to his brother some of that could translate nicely in midfield

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BathMatt53
04/08/2026 13:47

Quote:

theredseat
Any idea how Declan Treacey fits in with this group? Likely to be a fast mover or does he need more time?
Have barely seen any of him but can imagine if his skillset is similar to his brother some of that could translate nicely in midfield

I have seen a lot of him at age grade. Good prospect, strong tackler and runner but obiously very young still (A-level results due soon I would think?). Very highly regarded in the Bath acad and International set-up obviously so I can see him coming through over the next 2 or 3 years? A BUCS run would be perfect for him.

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

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shipwrecked
04/08/2026 17:43

One one the problems with assessing young talent is working out if they are simply good against their peers in the same age group or good fullstop.
The BUCS games mean that 18 year old are thrown in with the 18-24 age group so if the show up there thats a good sign.
Some don't show up until they are 22/23. As Matt says its a bit early to tell with Connor Treacey. Much also depends on the position they play!


Tyler Offiah
Opinion is based on assumptions, whereas fact is based on observation or research.

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