Bath to launch season with free event for fans, U18 squad named

Bath Rugby will launch their 2026-27 season with a special free-to-attend event at The Rec on Summer Bank Holiday Monday, 31st August.

The Rec will be the venue for Bath Rugby’s season launch – a free-to-attend event for all the family on Summer Bank Holiday Monday | Photo © Richard Briggs

The highlights from a purely rugby perspective will be exclusive interviews with Blue, Black & White players and coaches, and the chance to get autographs and be photographed with the stars.

But there will be much more than that on what is designed to be a fun afternoon for the whole family.

A statement from the club said: “Join us on Monday 31st August for a free-to-attend Fan Village celebration as we get ready for a new season in the Blue, Black & White.

“Whether you’re a lifelong supporter or a new face around Bath Rugby, this is the perfect opportunity to come together with fellow supporters, meet the players and coaching staff, and enjoy a fantastic day of entertainment for all ages.

“We’ve expanded the Fan Village experience this year with an even wider range of food and drink options, more covered seating and social spaces, and plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained throughout the day.

“With gates opening at 1pm, attendees can expect rugby skills challenges, exclusive interviews with players and coaching staff, autograph and photo opportunities, live music and an exciting new family entertainment area featuring touch rugby fields, interactive play zones, circus workshops, toddler adventures and hands-on crafts for all ages.

“The Bath Rugby pop-up shop will also be on site, giving supporters the perfect opportunity to get their hands on the new season’s range of Bath Rugby kit, training wear and leisurewear before anyone else.

“This event is free to attend and no ticket is needed to come along. We just ask for you to register your place so we can keep track of numbers.”

The Riverside and William Street gates will open at 1pm. The event will finish at 4pm.

You can register for your place at the season launch here.

The first game at The Rec during the new campaign will be the Gallagher PREM Round 2 fixture against Exeter Chiefs on Friday 2nd October.

That will be Bath’s third competitive outing of 2026-27, following away tussles with Sale Sharks in the PREM Rugby Cup on Sunday 6th September and Harlequins in the PREM on Friday 25th September.

Johann van Graan’s side will commence their programme of pre-season friendlies by visiting French club USA Perpignan on Thursday 27th August.

Bath have announced their 57-player U18 squad for the 2026-27 campaign in the Defender PREM Next Gen League – and head of academy Craig Lilley says the youngsters are raring to go.

The Blue, Black & White will begin their Next Gen season by taking on Newcastle Red Bulls at neutral Malvern College in Worcestershire tomorrow, Wednesday 5th August (3.30pm).

The Midlands venue will stage five Next Gen matches across two pitches on the day, kicking-off with Sale Sharks versus Gloucester Rugby at noon.

Lilley said: “We’re looking forward to a second season under the highly competitive structure of the Defender PREM Next Gen League.

“This competition challenges our young talent against teams from across the country – not just our regional rivals – giving them the opportunity to adapt, grow and compete in new environments.

“This variety is exactly what we want our players to be exposed to in their development journey.

“The boys have been working extremely hard in pre-season and are ready to showcase their talents on the pitch.

“Every member of our staff has played their part in ensuring that the environment created is one where our players can thrive, and we’re now looking forward to seeing the lads enjoy themselves, play hard and represent the Blue, Black & White with pride.”

Bath’s U18 squad:

Hookers: Max Edwards (Millfield School/Dings Crusaders RFC), Doug Lemon (Marlborough College/Marlborough RFC), Malachi Randolph (Harrow School/Maidenhead RFC), TJ Shearer (Purbeck School/Swanage & Wareham RFC), Henry Sui (Beechen Cliff School/Salisbury RFC).

Props: Matteo Donzelli (Eton College), James Eldridge (Wellington College/Maidenhead RFC), Noah Harding (Beechen Cliff School/Chippenham RFC), Jack Hobbs (Beechen Cliff School/Royal Wootton Bassett RFC), William Jordan-Willis (Radley College), Josh King (Beechen Cliff School/Chippenham RFC), Theo Lewis-Zdybel (Beechen Cliff School/St Mary’s Old Boys RFC), Miles Wilson (Millfield School/Cranbrook RFC), Archie Winterburn (Beechen Cliff School), Lucas Whitlock (Peter Symonds College/Havant RFC).

Second rows: Max Carter (Kingswood School/Chippenham RFC), Byron Crow (Reading Blue Coat School/Rams RFC), Oscar de Gruchy (Boundary Oak School/Winchester RFC), Ben Loosemore (Beechen Cliff School/Bishopston RFC), Lex Vrettos (Canford School).

Back rows: Ben Allen (Wellington College/Havant RFC), Caspar Balby-Welsh (Beechen Cliff School), Will Dawson (Bryanston School/Bournemouth RFC), Georgia Faosiliva (Hartpury College), Charlie Greenhough (Beechen Cliff School/Bath RFC), Filippo Hurrell (Wellington College/London Welsh RFC), Zachary Kelly (Peter Symonds College/Portsmouth RFC), Morne Lane (Peter Symonds College/Winchester RFC), Zachary Leach (Wellington College/Battersea Ironsides RFC), Ewan Ross (Beechen Cliff School/Oldfield Old Boys RFC), Sam Tillier-Wood (Beechen Cliff School/New Milton RFC).

Scrum-halves: Oscar Harrison (Marlborough College/Marlborough RFC), Lawson Horler (Beechen Cliff School/Windsor RFC), Milo Powell (Kingswood School/Chippenham RFC), Jack Thorpe (Wellington College), Seb Tomey (Peter Symonds College/Ellingham & Ringwood RFC).

Fly-halves: Rupert Jones (Millfield School), Piran Moran (Beechen Cliff School), Zach Nicholson (Cheltenham College/Marlborough RFC).

Centres: Aston Barrington-Hibbert (Millfield School), Hamish Kennedy (Radley College/Radley RFC), Will Kemp (Beechen Cliff School/Chippenham RFC), Henry Middlehurst (Millfield School), Naibuka Rabuli (Beechen Cliff School), Ivo Rees (Canford School), Savenaca Turagabeci (Beechen Cliff School/Royal Wootton Bassett RFC).

Outside backs: Charlie Day (Kingswood School/Chippenham RFC), Jacob Goatham (Millfield School), Jordan Ifil (Beechen Cliff School/Cricklade RFC), Harrison Lane (Seaford College), Tom Meredith (Beechen Cliff School/Winchester RFC), Alfie Walker (Beechen Cliff School), Oli Beckly (Sherborne School), Will Catt (Marlborough College/Marlborough RFC), Freddie Corbett (Wellington College/Henley Hawks RFC), Deacon Cullum (Beechen Cliff School/Newbury RFC), Louis Derwent (King Edward’s School).