Bath sign two players, including a history-making ex-Wales winger

Gallagher Premiership strugglers Bath have bolstered their resources ahead of their Champions Cup campaign by adding Welsh international Tom Prydie and Jordan Venter to their roster. Back three player Prydie is a short-term injury cover signing by Bath while South African centre Venter has joined from Edinburgh until the end of the 2022/23 season.

“We are really pleased to be able to bring Tom and Jordan into the club,” enthused Bath boss Stuart Hooper following a start to the league season that has seen them lose all nine matches ahead of European assignments away to Leinster and at home to La Rochelle, last season’s beaten finalists. 

“Tom is an experienced international player who does have Premiership experience from his short time with Wasps and European experience with Scarlets. He is quick, he is very committed and he has added a very experienced head in training. He has been someone we have been really impressed with so far. 

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“Jordan is someone we have seen potential in for a long time. He is a young, dynamic centre who can also play wing and we have watched a lot of him. He is very ambitious, very hungry and has a lot of attributes we look for off the field too.”

Now 29, Prydie created history in 2010 when making his Test debut at the age of 18 years and 25 days against Italy in the Six Nations. He then eclipsed a near-120-year record by becoming Wales’ youngest-ever try-scorer 77 days later. 

The La Rochelle boss has colourfully set the scene ahead of this weekend's opening round of European matches#LaRochelle #LARvGLA #HeinekenChampionsCup
https://t.co/CKzRbH4M17

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 7, 2021

“Bath is a great club with an amazing history and I’m grateful for the opportunity,” said Prydie, the seven-cap signing from Scarlets whose last Test appearance for Wales came in 2018 versus Argentina. “I know I have a lot to offer to Bath and I’m excited by the idea of helping the younger lads with my experience. I’ll give all I can to contribute on and off the pitch.”

The 19-year-old Venter, meanwhile, had spent the past twelve months in Scotland after moving there from South Africa. “It’s a big honour to have signed for Bath as it’s a big club with a huge history and heritage,” he said. “I’m excited to grow as a player here; this is where I want to be situated and give 110 per cent to and if I can contribute in any way it will be amazing.”