Bath Rugby has announced that England and British & Irish Lions tight-head prop Will Stuart is set for a lengthy rehabilitation period following a ruptured Achilles tendon.
The injury occurred during Bath’s Champions Cup victory against Munster on Saturday night, forcing Stuart off the pitch early in the second half. Post-match, head coach Johan van Graan had expressed serious concerns, and subsequent scans confirmed the worst fears.
Will Stuart is set to miss the Six Nations.
“He’ll undergo surgery in the coming weeks, and sadly, an Achilles injury means a long recovery lies ahead,” Van Graan told the BBC. “Every case is unique, but for a prop, consider the immense strain their legs endure.”
The 29-year-old, who has earned 53 caps for England and played in all three Tests for the Lions during their 2025 tour of Australia, will now miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season—including England’s entire Six Nations campaign, where he was expected to be a key figure.
“Injuries come with the territory, but when it’s something as serious as an Achilles, ACL, or neck issue that sidelines a player for an extended time, it’s always tough to witness,” Van Graan added.
“It’s absolutely devastating. He’s integral to everything we’ve built and accomplished. The silver lining is that he has outstanding support from our medical team, players, and family—we’ll be with him every step of this journey.”
The setback is a significant loss for both Bath and England. Stuart was instrumental in Bath’s treble success last season and has continued his strong form this campaign. For the national side, he remains their most experienced tight-head prop by a considerable margin.
