News Archive, Category: Rugby

Max Pearce is congratulated after scoring a try for England Students against France in Le Crunch 2026

University of Bath quintet help England Rugby Students to thrilling nine-try victory over France in Le Crunch

03 May 2026

Five University of Bath students were in the starting XV as England Rugby Students beat France Universities 55-42 to record their first victory in ‘Le Crunch Universitaire’ since 2023. Hooker Max Pearce, who co-captained the University men’s 1st XV to a BUCS Super Rugby league and cup double, wore the armband for England and led by example by scoring tries from rolling mauls at the start of each half. Winger Austin Emens also touched down...

Sophie Kelly holding the University of Bath Sports Personality of the Year trophy

Netballer Sophie Kelly named University of Bath Sports Personality of the Year 2026 at Blues Awards student sport celebration

01 May 2026

Netballer and sporting scholar Sophie Kelly has been voted by her fellow students as the University of Bath’s Sports Personality of the Year 2026.  The Bill Whiteley Scholar, who will complete her Management degree course this summer, was presented with the accolade at the 2026 Blues Awards, The SU Bath’s annual celebration of student sport which took place at the Roman Baths and Pump Room. It is the latest success for former Team Bath Netball...

A montage graphic of University of Bath rugby players (from left) Iwan Coyle, Austin Emens, Alfie Griffin, Isaac Mears, Max Pearce and Will Roue against an England flag background.

Super six University of Bath BUCS Super Rugby double winners selected in England Students squad to face France in Le Crunch

27 April 2026

Six University of Bath students have been selected to represent England Rugby Universities in the 2026 edition of the annual Le Crunch fixture against French Universities. Hooker Max Pearce, who co-captained Bath men’s 1st XV to the BUCS Super Rugby league and cup double this season, is joined in the England Students squad for a second successive season by tighthead prop Alfie Griffin. Back-row forward Iwan Coyle and winger Austin Emens have also been selected,...

Captain Max Pearce and Head of Rugby Aaron James lift the BUCS Super Rugby Milk Championship trophy as their team-mates celebrate and fireworks go off behind them

History boys! University of Bath win Milk Championship final for first time to complete BUCS Super Rugby league and cup double

23 April 2026

The University of Bath men’s 1st XV demonstrated why they have been the best team in BUCS Super Rugby this season as they defeated Loughborough 41-14 in the BSR Milk Championship final to complete a historic league and cup double. Forward dominance allied with explosive pace and power from the backs saw Bath score five tries against their old rivals and secure their first-ever national cup success, just a month after they had won the...

Max Pearce touches down for the University of Bath men's 1st XV

Double-chasing University of Bath determined to add cup to league crown after reaching first final of BUCS Super Rugby era

13 April 2026

Head Coach Aaron James says his double-chasing University of Bath men’s 1st XV are determined to “go one step further” when they contest their first knockout final of the BUCS Super Rugby era. A 36-20 home victory over Durham saw the 2025-26 league champions finally reach the BSR Milk Championship trophy decider having fallen just short in their five previous semi-finals. They will now face old rivals Loughborough, who finished two points behind Bath in...

Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi, centre, holding a backpack. Either side of him are Rengen CEO Iestyn Lewis, holding an Athlete of the Month certificate, and University of Bath Director of Sport Stephen Baddeley. They are standing in front of the entrance to Rengen House and behind them are two pop-up banners, one saying "Athlete of the Month" and the other bearing the Team Bath logo.

Rising rugby star Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi named as Rengen Athlete of the Month after making senior international and PREM Rugby debuts

30 March 2026

After making his senior international debut for Italy and PREM Rugby bow for Bath Rugby, Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi has been named as the latest Team Bath Rengen Athlete of the Month. The Sports Performance student, who is supported by the Team Bath Breakthrough Programme, became Azzuri international #752 when he came on for Italy during their Quilter Nations Series victory over Chile in November. The powerful forward, who can play in the second or back row,...

Joyous University of Bath women's hockey players rush to jump on top of their goalkeeper, lying on a blue pitch, after her save sealed victory in the BUCS National Vase final 2026

University of Bath hockey and rugby teams bring home silverware from BUCS Big Wednesday 2026

27 March 2026

There were victories on the hockey and rugby pitches when five University of Bath student sports teams contested national finals at BUCS Big Wednesday 2026. Both of Bath’s hockey 1st teams reached the National Vase Final, with the women sealing the title thanks to 3-2 shootout victory over Exeter 1sts after tying 1-1 in normal time. They had beaten Exeter 2nds in the same way in the semi-finals. [caption id="attachment_72802" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] The University of...

University of Bath rugby player Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi, wearing blue, being tackled by two Exeter players, wearing green.

Bath battle back from sluggish start to overcome Cardiff and set up home BUCS Super Rugby semi-final against Durham

25 March 2026

The double-chasing University of Bath men’s 1st XV fought back from 27-0 down to overcome an inspired Cardiff team and reach the BUCS Super Rugby Milk Championship semi-finals. The league champions, sponsored by Bath Building Society, rallied from a sluggish start to eventually emerge with a 48-30 victory that sets up a last-four showdown with Durham at the Team Bath Sports Training Village on Wednesday 8th April (6.30pm). Bath went into the quarter-finals on a...

Aiden Ainsworth-Cave, with ball in hand, runs at two Newcastle defenders during his PREM Rugby debut for Northampton Saints.

University of Bath sporting scholar Aiden Ainsworth-Cave makes PREM Rugby debut for table-topping Northampton Saints

22 March 2026

Sporting scholar Aiden Ainsworth-Cave became the 30th University of Bath student to progress from BUCS Super Rugby to PREM Rugby when he made his debut for Northampton Saints. The Economics student, supported by a Hudson Powell Scholarship, came on in the 11th minute as Saints beat Newcastle 28-27 at Franklin’s Gardens to maintain their lead at the top of the table. It continues a stellar season for the flanker, who played all five matches for...

England's Connor Treacey carries the ball as he is closed down by an Ireland opponent.

England captain Connor Treacey leads by example as nine University of Bath students take to field in U20 Men’s Six Nations 2026

17 March 2026

Nine University of Bath students represented their countries during the U20 Men’s Six Nations 2026, gaining invaluable international experience ahead of this summer’s Junior World Championship in Georgia. Captain Connor Treacey (pictured top) and Aiden Ainsworth-Cave played all five games for England, who finished third overall. They were joined in the pack for the final two matches, against Italy and France, by Tate Williams who, like Ainsworth-Cave, is supported by a Hudson Powell sporting scholarship....

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