England centre Ollie Lawrence is the latest player to have re-signed for Gallagher Premiership leaders Bath, with Quinn Roux and Beno Obano having also agreed new deals this week.
Lawrence, who joined in October 2022 when Worcester went bust, has gone on to make 44 appearances for the Blue, Black and White, scoring 16 tries.
The 25-year-old has represented England 31 times including at the 2023 Rugby World Cup where the team secured a third-place finish and is in the team for this weekend’s Guinness Six Nations opener against Ireland in Dublin.
Reflecting on his new long-term deal, Lawrence said: “I’ve enjoyed my time at Bath over the last few seasons. It’s helped me grow as a player on and off the field. I believe we have so much potential within this group and I’m excited for what we can achieve over the next few seasons”
Bath’s Head of Rugby Johann van Graan said: “Ollie has been magnificent for us, not only this season but since he first joined the club. He has established himself as a starting international player. I love the way Ollie has improved as a player and as a person whilst at Bath. We are excited to see Ollie continuing his journey with us and his best is definitely yet to come.”
Playing with real confidence and as a swagger as befits a jersey once worn by Jerry Guscott, Lawrence is averaging more offloads, clean breaks and carriers per match than he did for England throughout the Autumn Nations Series.
Whilst acknowledging his role for club and country differs slightly, in an interview earlier this month he said he’s happy with his rugby across the board.
“In internationals, there isn’t always as much space as there is in the Premiership, and that does affect the way I play at times, so it’s difficult to compare the two,” he said.
“With England, I have played a more direct approach. Off strike phases at Bath, I’ve done that but more in the wider channels.
“I enjoy pulling on the jersey for England as much as I do playing for Bath. So whatever role I have to do, whether that is 12 or 13 and whether that is direct or in those wide channels, I’m trying to work on both aspects of my game.”
Lawrence has played solely at 13 for Bath this season but had 12 on his back in the opening Autumn international against New Zealand, before reverting to outside-centre, his position this weekend.
