Henry Arundell Reflects on Journey to Bath's Champions Cup Semi-Final Showdown
Henry Arundell recalls his childhood memories of Bath Rugby, particularly a memorable semi-final in 2015 where they triumphed over Leicester in the Premiership play-offs. At just 12 years old, he attended the match with his family, cherishing the experience of watching stars like George Ford and Anthony Watson. Now, at age 23, Arundell prepares for another semi-final, this time against the reigning champions Bordeaux-Begles at the packed Stade Atlantique. This marks Bath's first Champions Cup semi-final in 20 years, and Arundell's path to this point has been filled with challenges. Starting his career at Beechen Cliff, he was initially tied to Bath's academy but moved to London at 14 due to his father's job. He debuted with London Irish in November 2021, showcasing his talent, including a stunning 98m run against Toulon. However, after London Irish's administration in June 2023, he transferred to Racing 92, where injuries and inconsistent performances hindered his progress. Despite setbacks, Arundell gained valuable insights from playing alongside legends like Siya Kolisi and Freddie Michalak. After a year, he returned to Bath, eager to contribute to their success, especially after witnessing their treble-winning season from afar. As Bath aims for the Champions Cup final, Arundell hopes to join in the celebration, humorously noting he’d prefer to avoid seeing teammate Alfie Barbeary in his budgie smugglers again. With the semi-final looming, he remains focused on achieving glory.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-05-03