Bath Rugby announce superstar academy intake: England captain, Bath U18s league-winning skipper, schoolboy champion

Bath Rugby have announced the signing of five of the most exciting young players in the country to the Premiership club's senior academy ahead of the 2024/25 season.

Backrow Connor Treacey, centre Charlie Griffin, winger Tyler Offiah, hooker Kepu Tuipulotu, and fly-half Jack Woods have all put pen to paper on first professional deals at the title-chasing Premiership side.

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Bath head of Rugby Johann van Graan said: "We are thrilled to welcome these five talented individuals to our Senior Academy. They have already showcased immense talent and dedication at every stage of their development, and we believe they have the potential to make a significant impact on the future of our club."

All five athletes will combine their rugby with courses at the University of Bath, following in the footsteps of current First XV players such as Max Ojomoh, Orlando Bailey, and Sam Harris who have successfully balanced their sporting and academic careers.

"We take great pride in our academy system and the role it plays in nurturing young talent," added van Graan. "These signings are a testament to their hard work and also that of the team here at Bath Rugby in identifying them as having the potential to be amongst the next generation of Bath Rugby stars."

“On behalf of everyone at Bath Rugby, we extend our congratulations to Connor, Charlie, Tyler, Kepu, and Jack and look forward to supporting them as they embark on this exciting next chapter of their rugby careers.”

Here is a closer look at the careers of the young players so far...

Connor Treacey

A great example of a player who has successfully progressed through Bath’s Academy system, Treacey is a product of Beechen Cliff School in the city and under his captaincy. Bath Rugby U18s won the Premiership Rugby Academy League title for the first time in the club’s history earlier this season. The back row forward and natural leader also captained England U18s at the recent U18 Six Nations Rugby Festival.

Treacey said: “Signing this contract is massive for me. Training before with the Academy and to be walking past some of the First Team players now knowing I’ll have the opportunity to be training with them this summer and learning off them is amazing.

“The quality of rugby coming through here at the club is really exciting. For me there is no better club to be at and to have the opportunity to learn from world-class players like Ted Hill, Sam Underhill, and Miles Reid.”

Kepu Tuipulotu

Tuipulotu is another to make the switch from the London Irish Academy to Bath Rugby. The powerful hooker and Harrow School pupil - who discovered his love for the sport at the age of 10 - has also represented and captained England U18s, making his international debut against France before going on to tour South Africa last summer with the national side.

Tuipulotu said: “I’m still young in terms of my rugby career so whether I am pulling on the shirt of Bath Rugby or that of a representative age-group, I want to be the best that I possibly can.

“In the player meeting, Johann [van Graan] talked to us about focusing day-by-day, trying to get better and that’s my passion. My aim is just to consistently train and play as best as I can and if I can do that then it will open new doors for me in the future.”

Jack Woods

Versatile back Woods can play at either full back or fly-half and joins from the Dragons Academy in South Wales, where he is a pupil at Monmouth School for Boys. He’s already represented Wales U18s and featured in Six Nations campaigns for the national side and is known for his impressive speed across the grass and threat with ball in hand.

Woods said: “Being here at Bath is unreal and very exciting. I am aware of the history of the club and looking at where the First Team is at currently and how impressive they have been over the past year, I am really excited to be here and to see what the team can do. I can’t wait to get started at Bath.”

Charlie Griffin

Griffin, who can play centre and on the wing, joins Bath Rugby from the London Irish Academy, having also featured for Saracens in this season’s Premiership Rugby U18 Academy League. He was one of the standout players for Harrow School when they recently won the 2024 National Schools Cup at Twickenham Stadium. Having represented England U18s, Griffin also trained with the national side’s U20s during the recent U18 Six Nations Championships.

Griffin said: “It’s unbelievable to be here at Bath. Not only is it an amazing club, there are also loads of other opportunities such as the education with the University of Bath being so closely linked to Bath Rugby. It’s a really nice place to live as well and I know a few people here. The way the team is performing so well in the Premiership at the moment is really exciting.”

Tyler Offiah

Explosive winger Offiah, who made his England U18s debut earlier this month at the U18 Six Nations Rugby Festival in Italy, joins Bath Rugby’s Academy from the youth set-up at London Irish. Son of rugby league great Martin ‘Chariots’ Offiah, the Wellington College youngster has already shown remarkable dedication, leadership, and mastery of his position through his pace, power, and try-scoring ability.

Offiah said: “For me, since a young age it’s been about staying consistent and keeping that routine. On days even when I’m not at training I still work on my game, doing repetition drills such as passing off both hands and being prepared to work hard and do things that others aren’t prepared to do.

“Signing my first professional contract, making my England debut, these are things that mean so much to me and I am really happy to be where I am on my rugby journey.”

The five players will now have the opportunity to train alongside and learn from Bath Rugby's senior squad, as they continue their journey towards potentially representing the club at the highest level.