Will Stuart has returned to action following an eight-month hiatus caused by a ruptured Achilles tendon sustained during a scrum against Munster at Bath’s Recreation Ground last December. The injury ruled the England and Bath prop out for the remainder of the 2025 season, as well as England’s Six Nations and subsequent international fixtures, including the July Nations Championship Tests.

Stuart described the injury as a strange sensation rather than intense pain, likening it to feeling as if his foot was no longer attached to his leg. He credited his mother’s tough-minded humor for helping him cope in the immediate aftermath, recalling how she entered the dressing room shortly after his injury with a blunt comment about both his yellow card and Achilles rupture during the match. “She’s quite old school, a dust-yourself-off type... it was exactly what I needed,” Stuart said.

This was not Stuart’s first major injury. In 2022, he suffered a dislocated elbow in a scrum against South Africa, which he considers more painful than the Achilles rupture. Despite the setback, he maintained a positive outlook and used the recovery period to reset physically and mentally. Stuart worked closely with Bath’s rehabilitation and strength conditioning coach, Mitch Smith, sharing the experience with teammates undergoing similar recovery processes.

During his recovery, Stuart had personal milestones, including his marriage to Nancy in Cornwall in August. The wedding required careful planning as a number of Bath players, including Finn Russell and Ollie Lawrence, also tied the knot last summer. Stuart returned to pre-season training shortly after his wedding, resuming preparations with the club’s camp in Perpignan.

Bath’s head of rugby, Johann van Graan, praised Stuart’s return to form, noting that he has come back fitter than ever and remains an essential figure in the team’s scrum. Stuart’s presence and performance were notable in Bath’s 40-34 win over Exeter Chiefs earlier this month, where he helped secure a crucial scrum penalty. Van Graan described Stuart as a “new signing” this season, highlighting the importance of his experience following the departure of Springbok prop Thomas du Toit.

Stuart acknowledged the challenge of regaining full match fitness after a long layoff, describing early appearances in pre-season as feeling like “Bambi on ice.” He expressed a commitment to returning to the standard he achieved before injury, recognizing that as a player now in his 30s, careful preparation is essential to maintain performance levels.

Looking ahead, Stuart is focused on re-establishing himself as a key component of England’s scrum as the autumn international series approaches. He credits the professionalism and fitness standards of former teammate Du Toit with influencing his own approach to recovery and training.

Despite the setbacks, Stuart remains optimistic and eager to resume his career at the highest level, buoyed by the support of family, teammates, and coaching staff.