Bath Rugby’s recruitment ahead of the 2026/27 Gallagher Premiership season has been limited to just three new signings; however, head of rugby Johann van Graan is confident these additions will bring considerable quality to an already strong squad.
The club has recruited former South African international number eight Dan du Preez to fill the gap left by Alfie Barbeary, who is moving to Saracens. Scotland international loosehead prop Jamie Bhatti joins from Glasgow Warriors, replacing Francois van Wyk who has transferred to Connacht.
The third addition is a familiar figure at the Recreation Ground, as fly-half Will Roue has signed his first professional contract with Bath after graduating from the University of Bath.
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In an interview reflecting on his new recruits, van Graan commented: “Each player brings something different, and it’s about how they fit into the group. Dan’s ball-carrying and set-piece skills make him a player I have coached before who truly commits on the field. He excels in the maul and lineout contests and is one of the premier ball carriers in the Premiership. He’s a quiet man.”
Du Preez, aged 31, has already accumulated valuable pre-season minutes and marked his impact by scoring a try off the base of a five-metre scrum against Bedford. With Jaco Coetzee reportedly fit again but yet to feature, and Arthur Green as the other number eight specialist, du Preez appears set to be van Graan’s first-choice number eight for Bath’s opening Premiership match away at Harlequins.
Bhatti, 33, returns to Bath for a second spell, having previously made 11 appearances in the 2020/21 season. Van Graan said of the 36-cap Scotland international: “Jamie has been at Bath before, and when I spoke to him, his hunger and desire to improve were evident. With Francois and Alfie departing, it was essential to bring in quality players, and we believe these new signings deliver that.”
Fly-half Roue has already featured six times for Bath during last season’s Premiership Rugby Cup. Van Graan highlighted his unconventional route into professional rugby: “There are many pathways in rugby; you don’t have to go through England Under-18s or Under-20s, or secure a contract straight out of school. Will progressed through university, and we’re proud of our ongoing relationship with the University of Bath and of Will as the latest to take a different path in our game.”
Looking ahead, van Graan also expressed enthusiasm about four promising additions to Bath’s senior academy: Wales Under-20s centre Bailey Cutts, fly-half Max Hooper, centre Declan Treacey, and back rower Alex Yeabsley.
He remarked, “We only recruit quality players, and all four are outstanding. Three are homegrown talents. Max has shown his capability from the start, Declan is an exciting young centre, and I remember Alex’s remarkable moments and tries during last year’s Under-18 final against Bristol; he has exceptional pace. Bailey made a strong impression when I met him and his parents-there’s something special about him.”
“These players are at the start of their careers, and we hope they experience great success here at the club.”