England Prop's Six Nations Campaign in Jeopardy After Serious Injury
Bath and England prop Will Stuart faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a suspected achilles tendon rupture during his club's emphatic victory over Munster. The serious injury, confirmed by Bath's head of rugby, now casts significant doubt over his availability for England's 2026 Six Nations campaign under Steve Borthwick.
Scrum Collapse Leads to Major Setback
The incident occurred in the 47th minute of the match on Sunday 07 December 2025, when a scrum collapsed. Stuart was forced to leave the field immediately, with the severity of the injury becoming apparent soon after. Johann van Graan, Bath's head of rugby, later confirmed the prop had sustained a serious achilles injury, which is expected to rule him out of the remainder of the Investec Champions Cup campaign.
Despite the setback for a key player, Bath secured a commanding 40-14 win in challenging, rain-soaked conditions. The home side's dominance was established early, with the team scoring four tries within the first 18 minutes of play, ultimately securing five crucial league points.
Double Blow for Club and Country
This development is a significant blow not only to Bath's European ambitions but also to the planning of England head coach Steve Borthwick. Will Stuart has been a mainstay in the England front row, and his potential absence would force a reshuffle in preparations for the upcoming Six Nations tournament.
Munster's challenges were compounded by early errors, with their captain Tadhg Beirne accepting responsibility for mistakes that included a yellow card. These disciplinary issues allowed Bath to build an unassailable lead during the opening quarter of the match at the Recreation Ground.
The focus now shifts to Stuart's rehabilitation timeline. A ruptured achilles tendon typically requires an extended recovery period, often spanning many months, placing his participation in the early 2026 international fixtures in serious doubt. This injury will prompt both Bath and the England medical teams to work closely on his recovery pathway.
