Magic is back for Maggs as Reds relight the rugby fire

■ By BEN JAYCOCK

Enjoying life: Old Redcliffians prop Archie Maggs

FORMER Bath tighthead Archie Maggs is revelling in the part-time environment at Old Redcliffians after a challenging spell in the Premiership club’s academy, but believes he still has time to climb back to the professional ranks as he continues to develop in the National Leagues.

Maggs came through Bath’s age-grades and represented England in the U20s Six Nations in 2022 but was released by the reigning Prem champions.

The 22-year-old has been a standout this season, and after struggling to find his footing in the high-pressure environment at The Rec, Maggs says the move to Old Reds has reignited his love for the game.

He told The Rugby Paper: “I’ve absolutely loved it; it’s been one of the best clubs I’ve ever been at. Working with (head coach) Dan Cox and Geraint Lewis has been amazing, and the lads are brilliant – there’s a real mix of boys who’ve come up from level nine and some who’ve played in academies like me. It’s been such a cool journey, and I’m really enjoying my rugby again.”

After leaving Bath, Maggs spent short spells with Richmond and briefly Randwick in Sydney, before settling at Old Reds last year – a move he says has given him the time and space to rebuild his confidence.

“When I was at Bath, it just didn’t really fit,” said Maggs. “They had one idea for me and I had another. They’re doing brilliantly now, and I’ve got no hard feelings – I still speak to lads like Tom Dunn now and again. But I needed somewhere I could develop properly and enjoy the game again, and that’s what I’ve found at Reds.”

Maggs is now working full-time as a stonemason at his father’s company, Stonecraft in Bath, and he says the balance of work and part-time rugby at Rugger Rats has given him a new lease of life.

“My dad’s brilliant about training, so it works really well,” he added. “It’s a great balance. There are loads of lads at Reds who are in trades, so it’s a good laugh. It’s proper grassroots rugby but with really high standards.”

While thriving at level four, Maggs still harbours ambitions of returning to professional rugby.

“I’m only 22, and tight-heads tend to develop later,” he said. “If you look around the Premiership, there aren’t many young players in my position so I definitely think there’s still room for me to develop, and Reds is the perfect place for that. I’m getting a lot of one-on-one time with Dan, who’s massively helped me. My scrum has gone from strength to strength.”

Old Reds have had a mixed start to the campaign, sitting mid-table with one win from their first four, but Maggs insists the club are heading in the right direction under Cox’s guidance.

He added: “We’ve made big improvements in every game. Even though results haven’t always gone our way, we’ve got the right attitude. We’re a small club in comparison to some in this league, so for us it’s about building, learning and enjoying it.”