Johann van Graan, Bath’s head of rugby, has heaped praise on promising young talent Louie Hennessey following a standout performance ahead of Wales’ Six Nations campaign. The 21-year-old Welshman impressed Wales coach Steve Tandy in the final Premiership game of the season, underlining his growing influence at both club and international level.
Hennessey opened the scoring in Bath’s thrilling 30-26 victory over West Country rivals Gloucester at Kingsholm, touching down after less than three minutes with an eye-catching ‘Ash splash’ dive that delighted the crowd. This marked Hennessey’s first Premiership try of the season and Bath’s fastest in the campaign.
Primarily a centre, Hennessey started on the wing for this derby clash, showcasing versatility that could enhance his Six Nations prospects. Having already been named in Tandy’s Six Nations training squad following an Autumn call-up, the young back continues to establish himself as a valuable asset for Bath and Wales.
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Van Graan was quick to commend Hennessey’s dedication and development: “Louie is one of our best trainers. He’s coming through the system now, and you can’t ignore him.” Reflecting on previous tries, including one in the Premiership Cup and a memorable score in the Champions Cup defeat at Toulon, Van Graan highlighted the youngster’s knack for scoring crucial tries.
This season, Hennessey has featured in Premiership matches against the Leicester Tigers, Newcastle Falcons, and Exeter Chiefs, gradually cementing his role in a strong Bath squad. Van Graan singled out several of Hennessey’s recent performances, noting his effective wing play against Newcastle and Exeter, where his quick break set up teammates for tries.
Hennessey’s versatility, playing both centre and wing, is a significant advantage as modern rugby increasingly values adaptable backs capable of covering multiple positions. This adaptability positions him as a strong candidate to be part of Wales’s matchday 23 in the Six Nations.
Van Graan concluded with optimism for Hennessey’s international future: “He’s got a big future ahead of himself. I really hope he gets his first cap for Wales in the Six Nations.”
Bath’s approach this season has focused on integrating youthful talent into the matchday squad, blending promising players like Hennessey with experienced campaigners. Van Graan highlighted others such as Arthur Green, Ethan Staddon, Kepi Tuipulotu, and Billy Sela as emerging stars thriving within Bath’s development system.
As Hennessey continues to build momentum with Bath, his performances have undoubtedly bolstered his chances of securing a Welsh debut. With Wales keen to improve on recent Six Nations outings, the emergence of young talents like Hennessey offers renewed hope for the national side.