Bath Rugby has announced that GB Rugby has signed.

Prior to the 2024–2025 season, Bath Rugby has announced that they have signed GB Rugby 7s international Austin Emens to a senior academy deal. Emens graduated with a business degree from the University of Bath.

The quick back’s outstanding achievements for the University men’s first XV in the national BUCS Super Rugby competition have drawn the attention of the Blue, Black, and White coaches. In addition, he has experienced success on the international front after making his GB Rugby 7s debut in December.

Emens said: “I’m really happy and proud to sign for Bath Rugby. I didn’t really expect this opportunity. I joined the University for the academic side of things, it was the best course for me, but I obviously also knew that rugby was a big part of life here and I knew the links to Bath Rugby were there too.

“The last couple of months have been a bit of a whirlwind – signing for Bath and playing for GB7s has all come at once – but it’s good fun and I’m really glad I have these opportunities. They are what I’ve wanted and worked for.”

Of adding Emens to his squad, Head of Rugby, Johann van Graan, said: “I am really happy to welcome Austin on our journey. I have seen some real talent in Austin’s play and I’m looking forward to seeing how he develops over the next number of years.”

After hooker Tom Doughty was signed by Bath Rugby in 2018–19, Emens is the second University of Bath student to sign a contract during the BUCS Super Rugby period. Emens was playing 3rd XV rugby two years ago.

“We are absolutely delighted for Austin; he has worked so hard for this opportunity and it is thoroughly deserved,” stated Aaron James, Head of Rugby at the University of Bath.

Austin’s contract was won via his self-motivation, both on and off the pitch, skill development, comprehension of the game, and consistent performances through 7s and 15s. It is truly a proud moment to witness such a decent guy receive his well-deserved award.

“Austin joins Tom, who we have developed through the BUCS Super Rugby programme to progress to professional contracts, and this is testament to the University of Bath and Bath Rugby Academy partnership. One of the goals of the University’s Performance Rugby Programme is to develop players who go onto professional rugby and our partners at Bath Rugby in particular.”

Emens played school rugby to a high level with Brighton College but was not part of a club Academy and joined the University’s rugby programme when he started a Business degree in September 2021.

The 2022–22 season gave him his first taste of BUCS Super Rugby, but it wasn’t until the second half of the 2022–23 season that he established himself as a regular, assisting the University in finishing in the top four and making it to the cup semifinals.

The winger scored a try in his debut game wearing a Bath Rugby badge while serving as a guest player for Bath United during their early season matchup against England U20.

Emens, an Englishman and fellow business student, is the most recent University of Bath student to commit to Bath Rugby for the 2024–25 season. Max Ojomoh, an international, Archie Gryphon, a recent Wales Six Nations rookie, and Sam Harris, an England U20 player.