First senior England Rugby appearance for Bath scholar Orlando Bailey as Grace Crompton help Roses win Rugby Europe Sevens Series

Sporting scholar Orlando Bailey made his first senior England appearance and Grace Crompton helped the Roses clinch the Rugby Europe Sevens Trophy during a memorable weekend for rugby-playing University of Bath students.

International Development with Economics student Bailey, who is supported by a Matrix Scholarship, came on as a replacement for Joe Cokanasiga during the second half of England men’s match against the world-famous Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday.

It was an uncapped match but an outstanding opportunity for fly-half Bailey, who combines his studies with playing for Bath Rugby, to gain senior international experience at the end of a season that has seen him become a regular starter at club level.

Meanwhile, Team Bath Dual Career athlete Crompton – who studies Sports Management & Coaching – and Bath alumna Amy Wilson Hardy were part of an England Women’s squad that dominated the Rugby Europe Sevens Trophy tournament in Budapest, Hungary, winning the title without conceding a point in their five matches.

England had also won the previous week’s tournament in Zagreb, Croatia in similar fashion, meaning they won the overall Series – perfect preparation ahead of next month’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

The Zagreb tournament had seen University of Bath students Alex Clayton (Integrated Mechanical & Electrical Engineering) and James Pavey (Accounting and Finance) make their England Sevens debuts in the men’s competition, helping their country finish runners-up to Ireland.

Clayton, an England U20 international, was a regular for Team Bath men’s 1st XV during the 2021-22 BUCS Super Rugby season. Click here to find out more about combining rugby and study at the University of Bath.

PICTURE CREDIT: Graham Glendinning / GlennSports/ Alamy Live News