Arundell Returns to England Set-Up as Bath Transfer Seals Comeback
For those who feared Henry Arundell’s electric presence in an England shirt had fizzled out amid the noise of a big-money move to France, think again. The 22-year-old winger has been drafted straight back into Steve Borthwick’s England set-up this week following his final outing for Racing 92, and his return could not come at a better time.
After a turbulent period in France, where both form and off-field circumstances conspired to complicate his international career, Arundell is back on home soil and back in the reckoning. With a fresh Premiership deal at Bath now signed and sealed, the jet-heeled back three star is eligible for England selection once more—and the timing couldn’t be more perfect.
A Rollercoaster Year Abroad
It was just over a year ago that Arundell found himself without a club after London Irish fell into administration. The Reading-based outfit’s collapse in June 2023 left a clutch of talented young players scrambling for their futures. Arundell, fresh off the back of a breakout international campaign, was one of the most in-demand names—and it was Racing 92 who won the race for his signature.
At the time, the RFU made an exception to their overseas selection policy, allowing Arundell to represent England at the Rugby World Cup later that year despite his move to Paris. He repaid that faith in style, lighting up the pool stages with a five-try haul against Chile. But that special dispensation had an expiry date. When Arundell penned a contract extension with Racing in December, the England door was slammed shut.
In truth, his stint in the Top 14 never quite hit the heights expected. A sensational hat-trick on debut hinted at the impact he might make in France’s glamour league, but Racing’s form as a team nosedived, and so did Arundell’s opportunities. The French giants limped to a disappointing 10th-place finish in the league, and by January, head coach Stuart Lancaster—ironically, the man who gave Arundell his age-grade debut for England—was sacked.
Finishing on a High in Paris
Though his form wavered, Arundell did manage to leave a lasting impression. After five months sidelined by injury, he returned for his final game in Racing colours last weekend—and signed off in style with a brace of tries.
It was a timely reminder of the raw pace and instinctive finishing that made him one of the most talked-about prospects in English rugby not long ago. That performance appears to have reignited the interest of Steve Borthwick, who has wasted little time in bringing Arundell back into the national fold.
He’s one of several players invited to this week’s four-day England training camp—a key step ahead of a packed summer schedule that includes a match against a France XV at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium on June 21, followed by two Tests in Argentina and another against the United States in July.
Versatility and X-Factor in One Package
What Arundell brings to the table is not just speed, but adaptability—a crucial asset in Borthwick’s evolving tactical approach. With the England coach opting for forward-heavy benches in recent times, backline players who can cover multiple roles are gold dust.
Arundell, while most known for his work on the wing, is more than capable at full-back. His spatial awareness, kicking game and counter-attacking ability give Borthwick options, particularly with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso still recovering from injury. Feyi-Waboso’s absence has been felt, not least in England’s recent Six Nations campaign where their back three lacked some cutting edge.
There’s also the intangible element Arundell offers—that spark, that unpredictability, that sense that anything might happen when he gets the ball in open space. England haven’t had many players like that in recent years. His five-try World Cup explosion, while against limited opposition, remains one of the standout moments of Borthwick’s tenure so far.
A New Chapter with Bath
Away from the international scene, Arundell’s decision to join Bath could mark a turning point in his career. He returns to the Premiership with more experience, a sharper sense of what top-level rugby requires, and perhaps a touch of humility after a challenging year abroad.
At Bath, he’ll link up with a squad that’s brimming with ambition. Johann van Graan’s side narrowly missed out on the Premiership final this season and have built a reputation as one of the most entertaining teams in the league. With the likes of Finn Russell, Ollie Lawrence and Ben Spencer already part of the Bath backline, Arundell will be in good company—and in an environment where his flair can flourish.
He’ll also be surrounded by a host of England hopefuls and internationals, making the transition back into the Test set-up that little bit smoother. It’s a move that makes sense on every level: professionally, personally, and internationally.
A Timely Boost for Borthwick
For England, Arundell’s return is a welcome injection of pace and potential at a moment when the squad is still searching for consistency. Borthwick’s side showed signs of progress during the Six Nations but remain a work in progress. This summer’s tour offers a chance to experiment, blood young players, and fine-tune combinations ahead of the autumn internationals and beyond.
In that context, bringing someone like Arundell back into the mix makes total sense. He knows the environment, he has the experience, and he brings a point of difference few others in the squad can match.
What happens next will depend on form, fitness, and how he adapts to life back in English rugby. But there’s no denying the buzz his return has created—and if he can rediscover the spark that made him one of the breakout stars of 2022, England fans have plenty to look forward to.
Henry Arundell is back. And English rugby is all the better for it.
