Bath Rugby’s 2025/26 season ended in frustration with three semi-final exits, yet for much of the year, they remained one of Europe’s most formidable sides.
As the club prepares for the upcoming campaign, rugby analyst Sam Jess delves into the individual performances of Bath’s backs, highlighting their highs, lows, and overall contributions.
England international Arundell ignited his debut season with Bath by scoring six tries before Christmas, demonstrating electric interceptions and attacking flair. However, the 2026 calendar saw Bath struggle for attacking width, often leaving Arundell isolated. Defensive lapses occasionally marred his performances, yet his return to England’s fold was marked by a commendable 18 tries, signaling promise for the future.
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Butt’s consistency waned following a stellar 2024/25, limiting him to six Premiership starts, primarily alongside Chris Harris in the Premiership Rugby Cup. Their partnership was steady but lacked sparkle. A move to Exeter Chiefs offers him a fresh start and the chance to secure a regular starting spot.
Scrum-half Davies enjoyed his best season to date, regularly featuring in the matchday 23 and impressing when deputising for captain Ben Spencer. Notable improvements in his box-kicking and attacking instincts, which yielded six tries, stood out. Leadership from scrum-half remains an area for growth as he vies with Bernard van der Linde next season.
The Argentine recruit, Carreras, faced a challenging introduction, missing pre-season due to international duties and struggling to settle. Though he scored six tries, including memorable efforts against Harlequins and Newcastle, his season is better remembered for moments of inconsistency and a crucial drop goal that contributed to Bath’s semi-final loss to the Chiefs.
Winger Cokansiga produced his finest season yet, reclaiming England attention through reliable high-ball handling and powerful ball-carrying. Undergoing eye surgery in summer 2025 proved transformative, culminating in six tries and earning him the moniker ‘A Monster Awoken’.
Fan favourite de Glanville retained his grip on the fullback position despite Carreras’s arrival. His aerial skills remained strong, though his attacking output dipped, reflected in a modest tally of four tries.
Donoghue’s season was hampered by an ACL injury sustained in pre-season, limiting him to two appearances, but his impact upon return was electric, notably against Northampton.
Hybrids like Harris featured sparingly, with just six Premiership Rugby Cup appearances after a breakthrough year in 2024/25. Griffin shone in the same competition, scoring five tries before injury curtailed his involvement during the season’s critical phase.
New signing Chris Harris’s opportunities were limited due to Ollie Lawrence’s unexpectedly rapid recovery. Over nine league appearances, he managed a single try but struggled to find form, often appearing sluggish.
Sam Harris missed the entire season recovering from significant ankle and ACL injuries and will depart for Exeter next season.
Welsh talent Hennessey impressed in only seven Premiership appearances, scoring three tries and shining in the Champions Cup semi-final in Bordeaux before a shoulder injury ended his campaign. The future looks bright for the versatile back.
Centre Muir made a remarkable return from an Achilles injury just in time for the season opener but showed signs of rust early on. After Christmas, his performances dipped sharply, with noticeable deficiencies in handling, pace, and power, leading to his omission from the England summer squad.
Youth fly-half Noakes contributed in seven Premiership Rugby Cup games but spent much time away with England U20s during crucial spells.
Muir faced further challenges after sustaining an ankle injury in pre-season, but late-season highlights included a dynamic two-try performance in Bordeaux before injury sidelined him once again.
English prospect Akerley made three Premiership Rugby Cup outings, scoring a notable try against Gloucester.
Ojomoh demonstrated versatility, starting the season stepping in at fly-half before settling at centre. His performances lit up sporadically but ultimately fatigued as Bath’s season plateaued.
Reliable Redpath delivered consistent performances, though fatigue showed late in the season. He missed starting spots in major semi-finals, a disappointment for the dependable centre.
Fly-half Russell impressed with pivotal Champions Cup performances that helped Bath reach the knockout stages. While less dynamic than previous seasons, his brilliance during the closing stages was significant. His absence was felt in Bath’s final playoff defeat.
Captain Spencer proved a model of consistency and leadership, dominating winter fixtures with his box-kicking and game management. However, accumulated minutes and a potential shoulder injury highlight the need for recovery ahead.
Van der Linde showed flashes of attacking threat but was hampered by injuries. His late-season ankle injury and disconnect with Carreras were costly during a crucial playoff match against Exeter.
Emerging winger Lewis featured briefly but demonstrated promise with his aerial skills and pace, earning valuable experience in the Premiership Rugby Cup and making game-saving plays.
Overall, the Bath backs showcased moments of brilliance interspersed with injury setbacks and fatigue. As the club rebuilds, these players remain central to Bath’s ambitions for silverware in the upcoming seasons.