Henry Arundell returns to England, signs with Bath

Bath Rugby has officially secured the signing of England international Henry Arundell from French club Racing 92.

The 22-year-old will join the club ahead of the 2025/26 season on a three-year contract.

Arundell, regarded as one of the most exciting young backs in English rugby, has already made a significant impact on the international stage.

He has earned 10 caps for England and scored seven tries, including a remarkable five-try performance against Chile at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

For Arundell, this move represents a return to his roots. He spent much of his childhood in Bath, attending Holt VC Primary School and Beechen Cliff before later moving to Harrow School. His family has long been supporters of Bath Rugby, making this transfer a homecoming of sorts.

Reflecting on his return, Arundell expressed his excitement about playing for the club he grew up supporting.

"Joining Bath will be a very special occasion for both myself and my family. We’ve been Bath fans for generations - ever since my grandparents - and growing up I spent many years in the stands supporting the team.

"Now, to potentially have the opportunity to wear a Bath rugby shirt is incredibly exciting. The team is in a fantastic place right now, with a brilliant culture, and I’m confident we can create some amazing memories over the next few years."

Arundell first rose to prominence with London Irish, making his professional debut in the 2021/22 season. His spectacular length-of-the-field try against Toulon earned him the Premiership’s Land Rover Discovery of the Season award and a nomination for World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year.

Following the financial collapse of London Irish in 2023, he made the switch to Racing 92 in the Top 14. He made an immediate impact in France, scoring a hat-trick on his debut and finishing with 13 tries in 30 appearances for the Paris-based club.

Bath’s Head of Rugby, Johann van Graan, is excited about Arundell’s arrival and believes he will be a valuable asset to the squad.

"Henry has some world-class attributes, more specifically, his speed and try-scoring ability. Henry made it very clear when we spoke that he wants to improve as a player and I believe that Bath is the club to do that.

"His willingness to learn, grow and become better, fits in well with what we, as a group of players, coaches and staff are all working towards on our journey together."