Henry Arundell's most cherished memory of Bath Rugby dates back a decade, when as a 12-year-old he watched his hometown team demolish Leicester in a Premiership play-off semi-final. Now, the 23-year-old wing is set to create his own history as Bath prepares for their first Champions Cup semi-final in 20 years, facing star-studded Bordeaux-Begles on Sunday.
"That was an awesome day," Arundell told BBC Sport, recalling the 2015 match. "I remember that team so well—George Ford at fly-half (now a teammate with England), Kyle Eastmond, Jonathan Joseph, Anthony Watson. Tom Dunn and Charlie Ewels from that squad are still here. I was just a child who loved rugby and dreamed of being in this scenario. It's pretty cool."
Arundell's path to this moment has been anything but straightforward. Growing up at Beechen Cliff School in Bath, he seemed destined for the club's academy alongside future teammates. But a move to London—his father's job took him to Harrow School—saw Arundell join London Irish, where he exploded onto the scene with a stunning 98-meter try against Toulon.
When London Irish went into administration in June 2023, Arundell moved to French club Racing 92. But the Parisian stint didn't go as planned—injuries and patchy form hindered his progress, and the coach who signed him was sacked. "There were moments where form suffers or you pick up injuries," Arundell reflected. "You find the most growth in adversity. I gained a lot from working with All Blacks legend Joe Rokocoko."
Now back on English soil with Bath, Arundell has rediscovered his spark, ranking fifth in Champions Cup try-scoring this season with five tries. He credits returning to familiar surroundings: "There's something special about playing in front of friends and family. The club's spine is from the academy—guys I grew up with."
Sunday's semi-final at the 42,000-capacity Stade Atlantique will be a far cry from the intimate Recreation Ground. Bordeaux-Begles, the reigning Top 14 champions, boast a galaxy of stars. But Arundell, who watched his first Bath semi-final from the stands, is ready to write a new chapter.
"We know it'll be tough, but we're buzzing," he said. "These are the games you dream of."