Bath Rugby Squad Update

Bath Rugby can confirm the latest squad update for the 2018/19 season, with six new players joining the Club this summer along with a new intake of Academy players, who will be announced in due course.

Among the new arrivals is Jamie Roberts, who joins the Blue, Black and White after three seasons with Premiership counterparts Harlequins.
 
The experienced centre said: “I’m really excited to have signed for Bath Rugby – it’s a Club with a great deal of ambition, which was crucial in making my decision to come here. There is no doubt that Bath can mix it with the best in both the Premiership and in Europe over the next few years.”
 
Joe Cokanasiga – one of the hottest young prospects in the Premiership – has moved to the West Country on a three-year-deal from London Irish.
 
The 20-year-old winger said: “I’m genuinely excited to be joining Bath. I feel the environment at the Club is exactly what I need to grow and develop as a player both on and off the field and ultimately achieve my international ambitions. There is huge potential to achieve success, and I’m really looking forward to spending my long-term future here.”
 
Fresh from winning bronze at the Commonwealth Games and England Mens 7s RPA Player of the Year, Ruaridh McConnochie will link up with his new teammates this summer along with Jackson Willison and Will Chudley, who join from Worcester Warriors and Exeter Chiefs respectively.
 
The Club can also confirm the signing of Alex Davies from Yorkshire Carnegie. The fly-half has made over 30 appearances in his two years with the Championship club, and will arrive in the West Country with Premiership experience under his belt, having spent four seasons with London Welsh.
 
Bath also welcomed Victor Delmas to the Club back in March, with the tighthead prop joining from French side Colomiers.
 
Academy props Sam Nixon and Will Vaughan are the latest players to commit their future to Bath Rugby, joining the likes of Aled Brew, Tom Ellis, Taulupe Faletau, Beno Obano and Elliott Stooke.
 
The additions of Josh Bayliss, Max Green, Max Wright and Darren Atkins to the first team from the academy also adding depth to the squad.
 
Bath Rugby would also like to pay tribute to those leaving the Club including long-time servants Matt Banahan and Kane Palma-Newport and fellow first team players Nick Auterac, Nathan Charles, Shaun Knight, Josh Lewis, James Phillips, Ben Tapuai and Jeff Williams.
 
Director of Rugby, Todd Blackadder said: “We’re really looking forward to next season – we showed against Gloucester and London Irish the ability that we have in the squad to break teams down. We are now working towards a strong pre-season, which will put us in a strong position to compete in the higher echelons of the (Aviva) Premiership.
 
“Having the experience of the likes of Jamie (Roberts), Jackson (Willison) and Will (Chudley), along with the pace and power of Joe will only help us to achieve our ambitions for the 2018/19 campaign.
 
“It’s also a time to thank all the players leaving the Club for the contribution they have made during their time here. Both Banas (Matt Banahan) and Kane (Palma-Newport) have been tremendous ambassadors for Bath Rugby, and we’d like to wish them along with the other departing players all the best for the future.”