Bath Rugby and the England national team are both facing a whirlwind of anticipation, challenge, and opportunity as the 2025-2026 rugby season gets underway. The spotlight is firmly on Ollie Lawrence, the dynamic Bath centre who has made a triumphant return to the England squad after a grueling six-month recovery from an Achilles injury. Lawrence’s journey back to the pitch, along with Bath’s mounting flyhalf crisis and England’s evolving squad dynamics, has set the stage for a compelling autumn of rugby action.
Lawrence’s injury, sustained during England’s Six Nations win over Italy in March 2025, couldn’t have come at a worse time. The setback not only dashed his hopes of joining the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia but also forced him to watch from the sidelines as Bath surged to a Premiership title without him. Yet, in a twist that’s delighted both club and country, Lawrence’s recovery outpaced initial expectations. Documenting his rehabilitation—complete with stints in an oxygen-rich hyperbaric chamber—across social media, the 25-year-old has inspired fans and teammates alike.
On Friday, September 12, 2025, Lawrence made his much-anticipated return to the field, coming off the bench in Bath’s 28-28 pre-season draw against Munster. It was a sight for sore eyes at The Rec, and a clear signal that the centre was ready to reclaim his place among rugby’s elite. Just days later, Lawrence was named in England’s 36-man squad for a three-day training camp, beginning Sunday, September 21, as the team gears up for a challenging Autumn Internationals campaign.
England’s head coach has assembled a squad brimming with both returning stars and emerging talents. Alongside Lawrence, Northampton’s Fraser Dingwall and George Furbank have also fought their way back from injury, eager to make their mark. The camp, designed to prepare for a daunting run of fixtures—starting with Australia on November 1, followed by clashes with Fiji, New Zealand, and Argentina—reflects the depth and resilience of English rugby.
But not everyone is at full tilt. Captain Maro Itoje, a central figure in England’s forward pack, is sitting out training as he manages his return from a concussion suffered during the final Lions Test on August 2. Meanwhile, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and prop Will Stuart are sidelined with minor complaints, and second row George Martin remains unavailable after knee and shoulder injuries kept him off the pitch since February. The squad also welcomes back summer Test debutants Seb Atkinson and Guy Pepper, as well as Lions veterans Ellis Genge, Tommy Freeman, Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, and Henry Pollock. Henry Slade, who missed the summer tour due to a hand injury, is back in the mix, adding crucial experience to the midfield.
Selection always brings its share of tough calls. This time, there’s no place for Harlequins number eight Alex Dombrandt, Bath’s Max Ojomoh, or Bristol scrum-half Harry Randall. Hooker Theo Dan, who lost his central contract this summer, is overlooked in favor of Leicester’s Jamie Blamire, with Luke Cowan-Dickie and Jamie George also named. The forward pack features a blend of youth and battle-hardened veterans, while the backs boast versatility and attacking flair.
As England prepares for a high-stakes autumn, Bath Rugby is navigating its own storm. The defending Premiership champions are gearing up for a tough away encounter against Harlequins on Friday, September 26, but they do so with a mounting crisis at flyhalf. British & Irish Lions star Finn Russell is unavailable for the opening two rounds, while Santiago Carreras is away on international duty with Argentina. To make matters worse, Sam Harris—who can cover both flyhalf and fullback—is still sidelined with a knee injury that has kept him out since February, though he is reportedly "progressing well."
The situation took a dramatic turn when 22-year-old Ciaran Donoghue, last season’s breakout star and a key figure in Bath’s title-winning run, was ruled out after sustaining a knee injury in the same pre-season draw against Munster that marked Lawrence’s return. This leaves coach Johann van Graan facing the prospect of deploying his fifth-choice option at flyhalf—a scenario few could have predicted at the start of the summer.
Van Graan, ever the pragmatist, remains unfazed. "The good thing is we plan for every eventuality. As I have said many times, professional sport is about being adaptable and fluid and there are many potential options at 10," he explained. The Bath mentor listed Ben Spencer, Max Ojomoh, Tom de Glanville, Tom Carr-Smith, and Cam Redpath as possible candidates to fill the crucial playmaker role. "We might experiment with one or two bits," Van Graan added, hinting at tactical tweaks and creative solutions as Bath looks to weather this early-season storm.
For Bath fans, the uncertainty at flyhalf is both nerve-wracking and oddly exciting. The club’s depth will be tested, and the coming weeks promise to reveal new heroes and perhaps a tactical wrinkle or two. Supporters are also anxiously awaiting updates on Donoghue’s recovery, hoping the young star’s layoff is short-lived. In the meantime, Harris’s steady progress offers a glimmer of hope that Bath’s backline woes may ease as the season unfolds.
Amid these challenges, Bath’s resilience has seldom been more crucial. The club’s ability to adapt—whether by shuffling established players into unfamiliar roles or giving youngsters a shot under the bright lights—could make all the difference as they seek to defend their Premiership crown. The opening clash with Harlequins is sure to be a stern test, with the London side eager to capitalize on Bath’s disrupted preparations.
Back on the national stage, England’s autumn campaign has all the makings of a blockbuster. The squad’s blend of experience and fresh faces, combined with the return of key figures like Lawrence and Slade, signals a team determined to reassert itself against some of the world’s best. The countdown to November 1 is on, and with Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and Argentina looming, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
As the rugby world turns its gaze to both Bath and England, one thing is certain: adversity has a way of forging character, and both squads are being tempered in the fire of early-season challenges. Whether it’s Lawrence’s remarkable comeback, Bath’s flyhalf conundrum, or England’s quest for autumn glory, the coming weeks promise drama, intrigue, and no shortage of talking points for fans and pundits alike.
With the season just beginning and so many questions still unanswered, all eyes remain fixed on the unfolding action. Will Bath’s depth see them through their flyhalf crisis? Can Lawrence recapture his pre-injury form and spark England’s midfield? The answers will come soon enough, as rugby’s relentless calendar rolls on.
