Six Bath academy players, including hooker Kepu Tuipulotu, are in England’s squad for the Under-20s Six Nations
Sophie Hurcom
BBC Sport England
Jack Killah
BBC Radio Somerset
Bath are top of the Premiership and aiming to win the league title for the first time since 1996, following nearly a decade of dominance in the English top flight.
That side was an undisputed powerhouse with a team built on a mix of homegrown players and quality stars recruited.
While big-name players in Bath still remain in Finn Russell, Thomas du Toit and the soon-to-arrive Henry Arundell, there is a youthful crop behind also starting to make a name for themselves.
Four of Bath’s academy squad are in England’s starting XV for Friday’s Under-20s Six Nations game against France in the familiar confines of the Recreation Ground (watch live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app from 20:00 GMT).
Another two are in the wider Elite Player pool for 2024/25.
BBC Radio Somerset attended a training session to meet them.
Vilikesa Sela, 19, prop
Sela signed a new contract with Bath earlier this season
Vilikesa ‘Billy’ Sela began his career in the second row before moving to prop because of what Bath said is his “size and dominance”.
The tighthead was part of England’s Under-20 Six Nations’ winning team in 2024, starting all five of their games, and this year has kicked on at Bath to feature in three Premiership games, two Premiership Cup matches and a Champions Cup tie.
Last week, he played 76 minutes England U20s win against Ireland and is again a starter for their second game against France this Friday at the Recreation Ground.
“When I was coming off the bench [for Bath] and they were like, ‘Billy it’s your time to go’, I was actually so scared but then when you’re on the pitch it’s just another game,” he said of his club debut.
“That’s one thing I still get shocked about is how far I’ve come in a short amount of time.”
With internationals such as South Africa’s Du Toit and England’s Will Stuart among Bath’s pack, Sela said he is relishing learning from some of the best in the game.
“Those internationals that are ahead of me and every time I get to watch them scrum I learn a lot,” he added.
Kepu Tuipulotu, 19, hooker
Kepu Tuipulotu comes from a big rugby family, with his father, sister and cousins all playing professionally
Forward Tuipulotu has similarly enjoyed a breakthrough campaign for Bath after moving to the club this summer.
In September he was playing for Bath University in their BUCS Super Rugby season opener and by December he was coming on as a replacement for his Champions Cup debut. A few weeks later it was his Premiership debut.
“It was pretty surreal having that step and how quickly everything’s gone through,” Tuipulotu said.
“I can’t credit Johann [van Graan, Bath head of rugby] enough for how he’s developed me throughout these last six months and all the coaches there.”
Tuipulotu, who has captained England at under-18 level, is from a huge rugby family.
His father Sione played for Worcester and Newport Dragons, his sister Sisilia plays for Wales and Gloucester-Hartpury while his cousins include Carwyn Tuipulotu, Billy and Mako Vunipola and Taulupe Faletau.
“Rugby was never forced on me, I have chosen that path,” he said. “Especially my sister, Carwyn and the Vunipolas I can just go and ask their advice and I’m here with open ears taking in everything I can.”
Tyler Offiah, 18, winger
Tyler Offiah scored his first Bath try on his debut in the Premiership Rugby Cup
Offiah is another from a sporting family. His father Martin won four Challenge Cups with Wigan during a stellar rugby league career, his cousin is Brighton defender Odeluga Offiah while, this week, his younger brother Phoenix joined Tottenham’s academy.
“Overall in the household we’re just quite competitive, except for my mum – my mum just tries to stay relaxed, stay out of it,” Offiah said.
The teenage back caught the eye when he scored a try on his Bath debut in the Premiership Rugby Cup win against Bristol last November.
“I was at school and my 10 was another kid my age, and I’m going from that to Finn Russell at 10 and he’s throwing four-man miss-passes,” Offiah said.
“The level of training and how quick everything is and the intensity and the attention to detail, execution, everything it’s such a big step up that you have to very quickly snap into it and I would like to say I did that.”
Short-term, making a positive impression at Bath and getting more opportunities there is the aim. Long-term Offiah is thinking big, with England and the Lions in his sights.
“If you’re not aiming for that it’s like why are you playing rugby?” he said.
Connor Treacey, 18, back row
Treacey has been part of Bath’s academy since the under-15s age grade before moving to the senior academy this campaign.
“Coming to Farleigh House this July was incredible for me in the academy, looking at the likes of Miles Reid all those players and then finally getting to rub shoulders with them train with them alongside them,” Treacey said.
Treacey, who has been coming back from injury, has not yet made his England U20 debut but did captain England’s U18s on a tour to South Africa previously.
“Being sat on the sidelines for a while edging to get on, then seeing my mates go and make their debuts it’s really inspiring me to go and do that,” he added.
George Timmins, 19, back row
Flanker Timmins had a taste of life as an England international in 2023, when he was among a handful of young players invited by head coach Steve Borthwick to join the team for training, ahead of their World Cup match against Samoa.
“It was quite eye-opening just to see all the people that you’ve been watching since you’ve been growing up,” Timmins said.
Friday will mark his first experience running out at the Rec for England U20s when he starts against France after missing much of the first-half of the season through injury.
“I’m just getting back into the swing of things now and focussed on this Six Nations block with the 20s and go from there and try and get a couple of games for Bath,” he said.
Charlie Griffin, 19, winger
Charlie Griffin is yet to make his debut for Bath
Versatile back Griffin joined Bath from Saracens and believes the academy set-up and its ties to the university team is part of the reason so many young players are flourishing.
“You see it a lot of the time that some people who are close to the first team but not quite there yet, they don’t play very much rugby because they’re always training,” Griffin said.
“At Bath I think it’s really good because you’ve got a close catch with the uni and loan clubs that everyone’s always getting game time. That really pushes people through.”
While Griffin waits for his Bath debut, his main focus is progressing with the England U20 side, starting against France.
“I think that sets you up confidence wise as well going into next year, [then more] games at senior level and try and break into that Bath squad at soon as possible,” he said.
