BUCS Super Rugby trio become latest Team Bath players to sign for Bath Rugby Academy
Will Britton, Jack Davies and Tom Doughty have become the latest University of Bath rugby players to sign senior Academy contracts with Gallagher Premiership club Bath Rugby.
All three have played major roles for the Blue and Gold during the first two seasons of the national BUCS Super Rugby competition, with second-row forward Britton wearing the captain’s armband both years.
Sports Performance student Doughty, a prolific try-scorer at hooker, will take over the captaincy for the 2018-19 season following Britton’s graduation from the University in Sports & Social Sciences.
Loose forward Davies has also played a leadership role for the University’s 1st XV – the Santander Sporting Scholar has graduated in Sport & Exercise Science this summer but will continue his studies in Bath as he is undertaking a Business Masters from September.
All have worn the world-famous Blue, Black & White of Bath Rugby in the past, with Davies and Doughty appearing for the Bath United XV and Britton coming off the bench twice for the 1st XV in the Anglo-Welsh Cup last season.
The trio are the latest University of Bath students and graduates to join the Bath Rugby Academy, demonstrating the thriving partnership between the two sporting organisations and the development pathways available to student rugby players.
Aaron James, Head of Rugby at the University of Bath, said: “We couldn’t be happier for the three players, it is just reward based on both their playing performances for the University last year and occasional A League outing for Bath Rugby.
“It shows that the partnership we have with Bath Rugby works for both parties across a number of areas including player recruitment into professional rugby. It also shows the value of the BUCS Super Rugby competition in developing players towards professional rugby.
“Will has been a inspirational leader for the past two years and his work ethic on the pitch is outstanding, while Jack has been a consistent performer in the back row and has assisted Will with his leadership on and off the pitch.
“Tom has always been very focused on getting to the next level and this opportunity will help not only with his playing performances but his education. Both Tom and Jack will continue to represent the University in BUCS Super Rugby next season, along with the other Bath Rugby Academy contracted players studying here.”
Bath Rugby Academy Manager Andy Rock added: “The opportunity to bring these three young men into our environment is something we are really excited about. We have worked closely with them all over the past year and I believe they will all end up playing an important role here at Bath Rugby in the coming season.
“Our relationship with the University of Bath is continually evolving and the strength within the rugby partnership just gets better and better. These signings are a clear example of how this part of our Pathway is developing.”
The University’s 1st XV shares resources with the Academy, with Mark Lilley and Louis Messer acting as forwards and backs coaches respectively for both.
Click here for more information about the University of Bath’s rugby programme and its links with Bath Rugby Academy.
