Henry earns Tigers contract next season
University of Bath alumni Zack Henry has signed for Gallagher Premiership Rugby club Leicester Tigers for the 2020/21 season.
The 25-year-old has been playing professionally in France since graduating in Sport & Exercise Science in 2016, first with Rouen Normandy Rugby and for the past two seasons with USON Nevers.
He has established himself as one of the most exciting young attacking talents in the Pro D2 league and has been rewarded for his efforts with a move to the top flight of English domestic rugby.
“I’m really excited to be joining such a prestigious club with a decorated history,” said Henry, who played for the University’s first XV and helped Great Britain’s men win a silver medal at the FISU World University Rugby Sevens Championships in 2016.
“My time in France has been an unforgettable period in my career which has helped me to improve as a player but the opportunity to join Leicester Tigers was something I did not hesitate to accept. It is time for a new challenge and I can’t wait to get started.”
Henry’s move to France came about after he was spotted playing for the University by former Bath Rugby and England scrum-half Richard Hill, who has been coach of Rouen Normandy since 2013.
Having started out in the University’s third and fourth teams, he quickly progressed through to the firsts and seconds within a year and was part of the Blue & Gold’s BUCS
National 7s winning team in 2015. Henry also helped the University win Red Bull Sevens European titles at The Rec in both 2015 and 2016.
Aaron James, head of rugby at the University of Bath, said: “As a club we are proud to have been part of Zack’s rugby development, both as a player and a person, and are delighted to see him gaining further recognition.
“Zack is another great example of the university system progressing late-developing players and his self-drive and willingness to improve have got him to where he is now.”
Visit www.teambath.com/rugby to read more about the student rugby programme at the University of Bath.
■ SOUTH WEST DIVISION This weekend was largely used to re-play fixtures that had been postponed due to the recent weather, which still hadn’t really relented. Keynsham pulled themselves further away from the bottom sides in South West 1 West with a good 43-32 win over Chew Valley, capitalising on mistakes made by their visitors. They are back in action tomorrow night under the lights when they welcome Cleve.
The local derby in Southern Counties South saw Walcot beat Corsham 22-14 to put ten points between themselves in ninth and tenth.
This weekend, Combe Down return to action at home against Swanage & Wareham, Corsham will welcome bottom side North Dorset in another crucial fixture and Walcot travel to Devizes.
Stothert & Pitt played out a 21-21 draw at Weston-super-mare 2nd in Somerset Premier to stay ahead of bottom pack.
Avon are back to it on Saturday at home to St Bernadettes Old Boys, Oldfield Old Boys are at leaders Burnham-on-sea and Stothert & Pitt travel to Hornets 2nd for an 11th versus tenth fixture.
Refreshed from the weekend off, bottom side Bath Old Edwardians take on Midsomer Norton 2nd in Somerset 1, with Keynsham 2nd hosting second bottom Taunton 2nd. In Somerset 2N, Walcot 2nd were beaten 29-12 by visiting Yatton 2nd and next host Westonsuper-mare 3rd on Saturday. Oldfield Old Boys 2nd welcome Winscombe 2nd.
Keynsham 3rd suffered a 52-26 defeat on the road at Chew Valley 3rd in Somerset 3N, they host Imperial 2nd in a fifth versus sixth contest. Second-placed Stothert & Pitt 2nd travel to second bottom Yatton 3rd.
Dorset & Wilts 1N leaders Avonvale resume their title charge at home to Warminster on Saturday, while bottom side Bradford-onavon host second bottom Marlborough 2nd. The local derby in Dorset & Wilts 2N saw Corsham 2nd beat visitors Colerne 45-17, they are away to Trowbridge 3rd and home to Devizes 2nd respectively on Saturday. Combe Down 2nd travel to Amesbury.
Bath Saracens travel to Minety 2nd as they continue their plight at the top of Dorset & Wilts 3N.