Bath Rugby has announced that two promising Welsh Senior Academy players, prop Ioan Emanuel and scrum-half Ieuan Davies, will join United Rugby Championship side Cardiff Rugby on season-long loan deals for the 2025/26 season to enhance their development.
Currently, Emanuel is representing Wales under-20s at the Junior World Championships, while Davies has already competed internationally at the same level. Despite their potential, both players face limited opportunities at Bath due to the club’s status as Gallagher Premiership champions and its deep, competitive squad.
These loans are part of a strengthening partnership between Bath and Cardiff Rugby, which began with centre Louie Hennessey’s short-term loan to Cardiff last December. Both Emanuel and Davies remain under long-term contracts with Bath.
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Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan emphasized the club’s dedication to nurturing young talent: “At Bath Rugby, we’re committed to providing our young players with opportunities to grow and thrive by exposing them to different playing environments. Cardiff offers an excellent platform where Ioan and Ieuan can develop on and off the pitch. We look forward to monitoring their progress as they prepare to continue their careers back with us.”
Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt, who also served as interim Wales manager over the summer, welcomed the pair: “We’re excited to have these talented young Welsh players join us for the upcoming season. Bath’s commitment to their development is clear, and we value the strong relationship between our clubs. Ioan’s solid set-piece skills and work-rate, along with Ieuan’s standout performances at the under-20 level, make them excellent additions. They will gain valuable game time with both our first team and Cardiff RFC.”
This collaboration aims to provide vital competitive experience for Emanuel and Davies, accelerating their growth and benefiting both clubs in the long term.