Bath Rugby felt like it was the right thing to do in their commitment to put out a competitive rugby team as they have re-signed Sam Underhill, Max Wright, and Jack Walker to new three-year contract extensions. Signing these quality players just goes to show how much the club values them and how much Bath could build around them. These were excellent contracts for both sides.
Underhill has been one of the best back row players in the Premiership as he has been instrumental at flanker for the club. According to the team's website, Underhill "has portrayed his raw ability at the breakdown, allowing for quick ball and the ability for Bath Rugby to develop their attacking game." With one of the best flankers in the sport in your hands, it makes sense to keep him around.
Wright has been a productive center for Bath and has shown promise of becoming a star, especially after representing England at the U20 World Cup in 2017. The club's website said this about Wright: "A former U20 World Cup winner with England, the versatile midfield player has shown his ability to have game-breaking moments, with his work-rate and capacity to influence the team’s performance both with and without the ball really standing out in the Premiership." He is a young and talented player and it seems like building the backline around Wright makes sense.
Walker has put up a lot of strong performances as he keeps going up the pecking order on Bath's depth chart. This season, he has helped the team secure 51 of 53 lineouts suggesting he is good at handling the ball in a set piece like a lineout. The team's website said about Walker that he is a "strong leader and communicator, Walker has traditionally influenced the game through his attacking qualities as a ball carrier. His ongoing impact in defence this season to date is something that’s developed, alongside his role within the set-piece in what is becoming a young and dominant pack of forwards in the Premiership." With this signing, one has to wonder what will happen with Tom Dunn and Ross Batty going into the 2020/21 season.
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