Five more rising stars set to combine top-class rugby with first-class education at University of Bath after joining Bath Rugby Academy
Five more of the country’s most promising young rugby players are set to pursue their sporting and academic careers at the University of Bath from 2025-26 after signing Senior Academy contracts at Bath Rugby.
Alex Ridgway, Jack Harrison, James Linegar, Oscar Thomas and Sam Winters have all applied to study at the University and, subject to receiving their conditional offers, would be eligible to represent the men’s Student Performance Sport squad in the national BUCS Super Rugby league.
It continues the thriving partnership between Bath Rugby and the University, with a host of players – including current 1st XV stars Orlando Bailey, Tom Carr-Smith and Max Ojomoh – having successfully balanced their dual careers in recent years.
Four of the five students who joined the Senior Academy in 2024 – Charlie Griffin, Tyler Offiah, Kepu Tuipulotu and Jack Woods – have made their Bath Rugby debuts this season while also helping the University men’s 1st XV to a best-ever BUCS Super Rugby league finish. The fifth, Connor Treacey, returned from injury to represent England in the U20 Six Nations.
Of the incoming crop, Thomas and Linegar, who play at hooker and fly-half respectively, have both represented England U18s and full-back/wing Winters was selected in the England U19 squad for the recent fixture against Scotland.
Wales U18 international Harrison and Ridgway, who plays back row, both attend Beechen Cliff School in Bath, which is home to a Bath Rugby ACE Rugby Programme.
Johann van Graan, Bath’s Head of Rugby, said: “We’re delighted to welcome these five promising young players into our Senior Academy. They’ve demonstrated the skill, commitment and desire to want to get better here and we’re confident they can play a key role in shaping the future of our club.”
Click here to read more about the quintet on the Bath Rugby website.
Find out more about combining rugby and study at the University of Bath by clicking here.
Pictured (from left): Oscar Thomas, James Linegar, Jack Harrison, Johann van Graan, Alex Ridgway and Sam Winters outside Farleigh House, Bath Rugby’s training headquarters. CREDIT: Bath Rugby.
