Bath
NINE NEW NAMES. BATH’S RECRUITS FOR 22-3.
Attwood: weclome.
By PG Tips
July 19 2022
Bath’s squad for the coming season has now been confirmed. Nine signings have been announced, as well as several Academy promotions from within. Not all the incomers are household names and some fans will be disappointed that there are no “galacticos” among them. The constraints of a reduced salary cap, ambitions of players hoping for a World Cup callup and the need for squad depth and balance will have made for a tough juggling act in this year’s recruitment. Here are the results.
Niall Annett
The former Ireland U20 Captain is highly experienced, with 20 appearances for Ulster and 132 for Worcester Warriors. He is strong, physical and no nonsense and has decent pace for a hooker, notching 12 tries for Worcester. At 30 he seems unlikely to get an Ireland call up, so should vie with Tom Dunn for the starting No2 shirt. Known for his leadership, he also has coaching experience. Should be a good role model for Doughty & Stewart.
Dave Attwood
Dave is well known in Bath for his previous stint, making 156 Blue, Black and White appearances from 2011-19, scoring 11 tries. He overlapped with Joe Maddock and will probably welcome the latter’s attacking strategy having flourished under the Ford regime. He has 24 England caps, most of them gained while at The Rec. An all -round lock, strong in the clear-out, at the lineout, on the charge and in the tackle. Perhaps his finest moment in Bath colours came in the Semi Final in 2015, as Bath beat Leicester 47-10. making 17 tackles on hot day. A natural leader (whether officially skipper or not) he led England Saxons to a 2-0 series win in South Africa in 2016. The extent of his impact will depend on how often he can play – due to his age and issues with his knees. Even if his game time needs managing, he should prove a good signing and will be welcome back, for his attributes and attitude.
JJ Tonks
JJ comes to Bath from Northampton where he made 23 appearances. He is described as a lock/flanker but was mostly used as a flanker at Saints (mainly 6, occasionally 7). At 6’4” and 16st 12lbs. he could fill in at lock if needed. His rugby pedigree is West Country- educated at Millfield, Cheltenham & Hartpury (where he was Captain) before Saints. He has junior representative experience at U17 & U20 levels for England and was in England’s Commonwealth Youth Games 7s squad. To broaden his rugby horizons he played half a season semi-pro with Otago in New Zealand, working for a butcher when not playing or training. Expect him to continue his rugby education under Bath’s new regime and be on standby to deputise for the first -choice loose forwards if needed.
Chris Cloete
At age 31 Chris has been around the block, playing for 3 different South African provinces, in Argentina and at the Kandy club in Sri Lanka. That CV suggests a “journeyman” but there is more to him. Short and stockily built, like Steffon Armitage, he is a powerful carrier with aggressive defence who established himself as a Munster regular for 5 years. In the 2020/21 season he was named Pro 14 “Turnover King”. Should enhance Bath’s back row options as a turnover specialist.
Wesley White
The son of Jake White, South Africa’s World Cup winning coach of 2007, Wesley is another wandering South African. He comes to the Rec from Jersey Reds after stints in South Africa, France and USA. He learned his rugby at famous Cape Town nursery Bishop’s and started his senior career at Sharks as a hooker. His pace won him a place in the SA Sevens squad. Most recently he has been used as a number 8, rather in the Sam Simmonds mode: he scores lots of tries. It will be interesting to see if he figures mostly at 8, where he could understudy Jaco Coetzee and Josh Bayliss, or on a flank, where he could rotate with Bath’s existing front runners Underhill and Reid.
Louis Schreuder
Yet another South African, brought up in the Western Cape, Schreuder is an alumnus of another notable academy for Springboks - Paarl Gymnasium. In his homeland he played for Stormers, Southern Kings and Sharks. He has also spent time at Toulon and comes to Bath from Newcastle Falcons, playing for them 33 times. Once Vice Captain of South Africa U20, he has 1 full Springbok cap. A strong, rangy runner who makes tries for others, he looks a useful deputy to Ben Spencer, with similar style. His discipline record is excellent -a single Yellow Card in 9 seasons
Piers Francis
An Englishman, raised in New Zealand, Piers has 9 England caps, gained while at Northampton where he played principally at centre, although it seems Bath have earmarked him to play mostly at 10. He has Super Rugby experience with Auckland, Waikato and Counties Manukau. A dependable goal kicker, the coaches may be hoping he can be a playmaking option from either 10 or 12 as Shaun Berne was 20 years ago. His game time could be limited though, as he has a recent history of repeated concussions.
Louis Hennessy
Younger and less experienced than most named above, he has been described as an “exciting academy addition” at centre. From Cardiff via Hartpury and Wales U18, he is a strong runner with a good outside break, who frequently breaks or wriggles out of tackles. Looks like one for A team fixtures, Premiership Cup ties and the future.
Matt Gallagher
A full back or wing, Matt’s experience is with Saracens and Munster. He played 50 times for Saracens, being a regular in their Premiership Rugby Shield winning squad of 2019. Since then he has been at Munster. His father John Gallagher, frustrated as a 3rd XV centre at Blackheath emigrated to NZ in the 1980s, where he played for Wellington. Switched to Full Back, he won 18 test caps for the All Blacks including as a winner of the inaugural World Cup. If Matt has half his father’s dedication and talent he will be a useful acquisition.
Ones that got away?
It would be unusual for Bath not to be connected by rumour with a raft of players thought to be about to join. Often this is fans wishful thinking but some rumours this past season have had substance. Let’s take a look.
Curwin Bosch?
Repeated rumours of Bath’s interest in Curwin Bosch seemed logical in light of Danny Cipriani’s injury struggles and Bath’s lack of strength in depth. However, nothing has come of it and Bath have announced a squad containing 5 fly halves, 3 usually considered to be centres and one an 18-year-old Academy player. The number named suggests Bath’s recruiting for the position this season (barring injury crisis) is done, and that the rumours were just agent talk.
Ed Scragg
At 6’7”, close to 19 stones and only 22 years old, Ed Scragg appeared a possible long term answer to Bath’s pressing need for a large and physical lock. Scragg is a local boy, brought up in Somerset and Wiltshire and Bath were in talks to sign him, but a proposed 2-year initial contract was downgraded unilaterally to 1 by Ed Griffiths so the young Cornish Pirate opted for London Irish instead.
Pablo Matera
Bath’s target to replace Taulupe Faletau as a back row carrier was another casualty of the power struggle between Ed Griffiths and other members of Bath’s management. A 70+ cap Puma and former national Captain, he is certainly a dynamic carrier and abrasive presence at the breakdown, a role that seems vacant at present but will need to be filled to enable Johann van Graan playing style. It will be interesting to see how the Head of Rugby deploys his ample loose forward resources in search of a balanced back row.
A mix of experience and youth, with a largely cosmopolitan flavour, these 9 should help round out Bath’s squad to address some of the needs visible last season. There are leaders, grafters, pragmatic veterans and promising youngsters, even if there are no “stellar” signings. In a salary cap world, those were always unlikely for the Premiership stragglers. The trick for this year’s coaching team, especially in the absence of obvious answers at No8 and 10, is to make this squad greater than the apparent sum of its parts.
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
19/07/2022 09:13
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:08:01:08:40:25 by CoochieCoo.
[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]
Really looking forward to seeing all these guys in action !
Adopted Player 2018/19 Ross Batty
Adopted Player 2019/20 Jack Davies
Adopted Player 2020/21 Cam Redpath
Adopted Player 2021/22 Darren Atkins
Adopted Player 2022/23 Gabriel Hamer-Webb
Adopted Player 2023/24 Tom Carr-Smith
Adopted Player 2024/25 Max Ojomoh
"AN OUNCE OF ACTION IS WORTH A TON OF THEORY"
FRIEDRICH ENGELS
He's roughly the same stats and (from his showreels) seems to have similar impact!
PG
Quote:P G Tips
BM
He's roughly the same stats and (from his showreels) seems to have similar impact!
PG
Certainly both have the eye for the turnover, that's for sure.
[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]
It's interesting to see our recruitment well written about – I actually found it quite reassuring. What we've picked up are some really good squad men, the sort you need to be competitive in the Prem. Unlikely that any of them will be away on international duty, most have good injury records, so they should all get a lot of game time. Annett and Attwood are proven and Cloete could rip it up in Prem with Underhill, so in addition to being good squad men, there could be some stars in there, too.
Thanks for getting me excited about next season, PG. Just as long as I don't think about fly-half...
Tom Carr Smith: Made significant progress in the Summer U20 international recently box kicking is better (still occasionally too long mind) but his service is quicker and he now has an eye for the gap and an opportunity.
Personally I think he takes time to get used to his 10 then kick on. Him and Finn Smith looked good and he also looked good with Worboys till he moved on.
John Stuart: Could cope with the Premiership physically and gets around the park insanely well, throwing has improved as well.
And as a bolter Michael Etete, trialist seemingly a lock but played most of his rugby at 6 and has a 7s background.
I find it interesting that we now have some ridiculously fast forwards, Bayliss, Richards and now Etete, if he makes it that is?
Quote:hemington
Thanks as always PG for effort and interest. Very useful info about our new boys. If I was going to be piccy the one extra bit of info on most of them would be their age (you give it for Niall and Chris). Thanks again though and no criticism intended.
Thats a good point H, not PG's omission but the age of these 9, several are "more experience' and I wonder if that is deliberate with cap changes and Prem Rugby being fluid. It means we are not locked into a particular group of players indefinitely.
Quote:shipwreckedQuote:hemington
Thanks as always PG for effort and interest. Very useful info about our new boys. If I was going to be piccy the one extra bit of info on most of them would be their age (you give it for Niall and Chris). Thanks again though and no criticism intended.
Thats a good point H, not PG's omission but the age of these 9, several are "more experience' and I wonder if that is deliberate with cap changes and Prem Rugby being fluid. It means we are not locked into a particular group of players indefinitely.
Ages are quoted in our squad sticky.
However it would have been nice if one top quality international player (preferable from the SH) had been signed for next season to get excited about.
John Stuart: Could cope with the Premiership physically and gets around the park insanely well, throwing has improved as well.
/quote]
Thanks sw
Stuart is actually Stewart - confusing I know, but as the other Stuart is also a front rower I think clarity is important.
PG
Quote:P G TipsQuote:shipwrecked
Great stuff PG, I'm going to add a few names who could feature from the younger areas that I have hopes for.
John Stuart: Could cope with the Premiership physically and gets around the park insanely well, throwing has improved as well.
Thanks sw
Stuart is actually Stewart - confusing I know, but as the other Stuart is also a front rower I think clarity is important.
PG
Just seeing if you were awake PG sorry it’s John Stewart aged 20!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:19:11:25:07 by shipwrecked.
I'm most looking forward to Max Ojomohs continued development at the Rec.
Bristol (2007-2009)
Gloucester (2009 -2011)
Bath Rugby (2011–2019)
Toulon (2019-2020)
Bristol (2020 -2022)
Quote:shipwrecked
Dave Atwood previous clubs.
Bristol (2007-2009)
Gloucester (2009 -2011)
Bath Rugby (2011–2019)
Toulon (2019-2020)
Bristol (2020 -2022)
However did you find out that information SW, it's like you have a world wide 'web' of information at your fingertips!
[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]
Quote:BathMatt53Quote:shipwrecked
Dave Atwood previous clubs.
Bristol (2007-2009)
Gloucester (2009 -2011)
Bath Rugby (2011–2019)
Toulon (2019-2020)
Bristol (2020 -2022)
However did you find out that information SW, it's like you have a world wide 'web' of information at your fingertips!
Strangely Matt info on DA wasn't all in one place I had to compile it, always had a soft spot for him. I'm on a laptop often (work) but hiding indoors today with the heat so any excuse, temperature has dropped to a chilly 29 today.
Was tempted to type "Google it" but 'gran' might imply not particularly familiar with the net so looked it up.
Quote:shipwreckedQuote:BathMatt53Quote:shipwrecked
Dave Atwood previous clubs.
Bristol (2007-2009)
Gloucester (2009 -2011)
Bath Rugby (2011–2019)
Toulon (2019-2020)
Bristol (2020 -2022)
However did you find out that information SW, it's like you have a world wide 'web' of information at your fingertips!
Strangely Matt info on DA wasn't all in one place I had to compile it, always had a soft spot for him. I'm on a laptop often (work) but hiding indoors today with the heat so any excuse, temperature has dropped to a chilly 29 today.
Was tempted to type "Google it" but 'gran' might imply not particularly familiar with the net so looked it up.
Is gran an actual gran?
Quote:woodpeckerQuote:shipwreckedQuote:BathMatt53Quote:shipwrecked
Dave Atwood previous clubs.
Bristol (2007-2009)
Gloucester (2009 -2011)
Bath Rugby (2011–2019)
Toulon (2019-2020)
Bristol (2020 -2022)
However did you find out that information SW, it's like you have a world wide 'web' of information at your fingertips!
Strangely Matt info on DA wasn't all in one place I had to compile it, always had a soft spot for him. I'm on a laptop often (work) but hiding indoors today with the heat so any excuse, temperature has dropped to a chilly 29 today.
Was tempted to type "Google it" but 'gran' might imply not particularly familiar with the net so looked it up.
Is gran an actual gran?
No idea, have I been stupid again?
Best business for me was retaining richards, bailey and mojo. Combined with the conveyor belt academy (5 eng u19, 4 eng u20) I have reasonable hopes for the next few seasons
On your question about how our squad compares to others, I would say that on paper, as it's been for years, we're competitive. In spite of the departures of Watson and Faletau, our squad is a top 6 squad and so it's up to the coaches to deliver on that promise. My only worry is our lack of depth at fly half which is, by far, the thinnest stable of talent in the Prem.
Now the dust has settled, I'm actually quite positive about the lack of stars. IIRC, John Connelly's major overhaul in '03 didn't have many household names in it....we did pretty well that season.
Quote:BathIron
In his excellent interview JVG noted a number of injuries to be assessed in the coming week. It will be interesting to see how open the new team is on these and if they have plans for cover.
BI
I think he said there would be an update on injuries in 2 weeks time?
PG
Quote:Widcombe Boy
Eleven 😂
Stranger things?
Quote:Bath Supporter Jack
I wonder which previous clubs "gran" was involved with?
Mmm... just looked BSJ, Bristol Bears it seems.
More Bath headlines
- LEARNINGS FOR NEXT SEASON. SEASON REVIEW CONTINUED.
- World Rugby Junior World Championship 2026 Preview
- FAILURE, FRUSTRATION OR FLATLINE? 2026 SEASON REVIEW
- "IT'S IN OUR HANDS”...BATH V EXETER.
- NOW OR NEVER: BATH V LEICESTER
- BOUNCEBACKABILITY: EXETER CHIEFS V BATH RUGBY
- LE HANDICAP? BORDEAUX v BATH ECC SEMI FINAL
- “MAY YOUR CHOICES REFLECT YOUR HOPES NOT YOUR FEARS”.
- EYES BACK ON THE OTHER PRIZE! BATH v HARLEQUINS
Bath latest threads
- O/T Postcards from the Past No 4 – Naples 2010
- Injury latest on forgotten Bath Rugby wrecking ball Jaco Coetzee
- OT / Prostate
- OT - Fox wins the Open at Birkdale
- O/T Postcards from the Past No 3 Théoule-sur-Mer – May 2017
- OT/ Site advertising
- Will Roue Signed ahead of the 2026/27 season
- Bath Rugby's confirmed 2026/27 incoming signings and outgoings
- 2026/27 PREM Rugby Cup fixtures confirmed
- O/T Postcards from the Past No2 Cordoba 2015