From BUCS Super Rugby to Rugby World Cup – Bath graduate David Costa ready to take to the biggest stage with Portugal

Former University of Bath BUCS Super Rugby player David Costa will be representing Portugal when the 2023 Rugby World Cup takes place in France from Friday 8th September.

The prop, who studied Management at the University, has been named in a 33-strong squad for the tournament which will see Os Lobos line up in a strong Pool C against Wales, Australia, Fiji and Georgia.

Costa played for the University men’s 1st XV during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 BUCS Super Rugby campaigns.

Aaron James, Head of Rugby at the University of Bath, said: “We’re all so pleased for David, he is a real character on and off the field. He got on with his work with a big smile. We are proud we have been part of his rugby journey to represent his country and now at a World Cup.”

Costa, who plays his club rugby for GD Direito in Lisbon, has 24 senior caps for Portugal and also represented his country at the 2018 World Rugby U20 Trophy in Romania, helping them finish third overall.

Management with Marketing student Lachlan McGrigor, a current member of the University’s BUCS Super Rugby squad, represented Canada in the 2023 edition of the World Rugby U20 Trophy this summer in Kenya.

Erik Bryant, who studies Sport and Exercise Science, has also been on international duty with Singapore in the Asia Rugby Sevens Series.

Training is now under way for the 2023-24 BUCS Super Rugby season, which begins for Bath on Wednesday 27th September with a trip to Durham.