Following the announcement earlier in the season that Sam Winters had signed a professional contract with Bath Rugby, we were delighted to hear that fellow 2020 Old Mole Oscar Thomas had joined him, alongside three other young players.

“We’re delighted to welcome these five promising young players into our Senior Academy,” said Johann van Graan, Bath’s Head of Rugby. “They’ve demonstrated the skill, commitment, and desire to want to get better here, and we’re confident they can play a key role in shaping the future of our club.”

“Our academy is something we’re incredibly proud of, especially in how it supports and develops emerging talent,” van Graan continued. “Bringing these players into the fold reflects the hard work of our recruitment and coaching staff in identifying and nurturing young players.”

“On behalf of everyone at the club, congratulations to Alex, James, Jack, Sam, and Oscar. The best is yet to come!”

The players have applied to study at the University of Bath, following in the footsteps of current First XV players such as Max Ojomoh, Orlando Bailey and Tom Carr-Smith, who have successfully balanced their sporting and academic careers.

ABOUT SAM WINTERS

Named captain of Harrow School 1st XV this year, Winters’ season has unfortunately been affected by injury; however, a return to full fitness was rewarded with a call-up to England U19S for their recent fixture against Scotland.

The full-back started playing rugby as a six-year-old for Henley Hawks thanks to his dad taking him down to the club, and via Moulsford Prep School, he later excelled at Harrow, following in the footsteps of fellow Bath Rugby Academy players Kepu Tuipulotu and Charlie Griffin.

“It’s been awesome and all very exciting since last year,” said Sam. “What a great place and what an amazing club. If you’d have said 18 months ago that I’d be signing for Bath, I would have said ‘wow’! Seeing Kepu and Charlie doing really well, even though they are only a year above, they are role models and seeing them take that path makes everything more realistic.”

ABOUT OSCAR THOMAS

The Wellington College pupil, formerly at Moulsford Prep School, first started playing football in Devizes, but after moving to Reading, he joined Henley Hawks Rugby Club.

The hooker linked up with Bath Rugby U18s last season from London Irish and has also been capped by England at U18 level and more recently with Wales.

On signing his Senior Academy contract, Thomas said: “It’s pretty amazing. You grow up dreaming about this, and then for the hard work to pay off is pretty cool. I am just looking forward now to getting into pre-season and mixing with all the lads who have already been really welcoming.”

“Just to get a tiny bit of information in training (off the club’s senior hookers) is an absolute gem, the likes of Tom Dunn, it will be great to be around players like him.”