De Glanville signs senior contract with Bath Rugby

Tom de Glanville has joined the growing contingent of homegrown players in Bath Rugby’s first team squad, committing his long-term future to the Club by signing his first senior contract.

Born and bred in the city, the former Beechen Cliff pupil will graduate to the senior squad having progressed through the pathway over the past five years, picking up valuable experiences on and off the field as a Bath Academy player and with the national age-grade teams with England.

De Glanville will join the squad for pre-season training at the end of July, having spent time at Otley Rugby Club during the 2018/19 campaign whilst studying at the University of Leeds. More recently de Glanville helped to guide England to a fifth-place finish in the World Rugby U20 Championship in Argentina, playing at both full-back and fly-half for England during the competition.

The 19 year-old joins Miles Reid and Will Vaughan in the senior squad this summer, with the Club committed to develop players through the Academy to reach the highest levels of the game and to produce a senior squad comprising of 50% homegrown players by 2023.

De Glanville said: “Having grown up in Bath, there’s no greater thing than playing at the Rec. It’s every boy’s dream in this area and I feel fortunate that I’m in that position where I’m living out my dream.

“There’s a real excitement in the squad about the season ahead and a real focus and drive to achieve. I grew up watching Hoops at the Rec, so to have him working in tandem with Rocky and the rest of the coaching setup, it will only help my development as a player.”

Director of Rugby, Stuart Hooper, added: “Like Miles (Reid), Tom is someone who has progressed right through the pathway into the senior squad, which is testament to his hard work and skill-set. We are building a squad of young men who care deeply about this Club, who have the drive, qualities and ambition to be part of a successful team.

“Tom’s experiences last season culminating with the World Rugby U20 Championship has only gone to support his growth, and he will undoubtedly play a fundamental role in many years to come.”