Former Team Bath BUCS Super Rugby trio sign for RFU Championship club Hartpury for 2020-21 league season

Three former University of Bath Rugby Club players will be lining up in the RFU Championship during the 2020-21 season after joining Gloucestershire-based Hartpury University RFC.

Lock forward Scott Russell, scrum-half Will Flinn and back-three player Wil Partington all wore the Blue & Gold with distinction in BUCS Super Rugby while studying Sports Performance at the University of Bath.

Russell and Flinn, who graduated in 2018, both have Championship experience with Coventry, with Russell being named as their Young Player of the Season in 2018-19. Partington – who was named in the BUCS Super Rugby Team of the Year in 2019 – spent last season with Premiership club London Irish.

John Barnes, Director of Rugby at Hartpury, said: “Adept in either the back row or second row, Scott adds a physical edge to our squad. He is a hard-working player who is always wanting to improve and looking for much needed game-time for a youngster with his qualities.

“Will was sat behind two good scrum halves at Coventry last year and will be looking to improve his game with minutes on the pitch. Wil is a fast, elusive runner and his ability to play across the back three will add great variety to our squad.”

The trio are among 12 new players joining Hartpury, whose Championship rivals during the new season when it begins will include Saracens.

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