Former Bath and England player appointed head of performance...

In July 2025, Hartpury University and College will further solidify its standing as ‘a leader’ in rugby education and

growth by appointing Martin Haag, a former Bath Rugby player and world champion young coach, as its new head of

rugby performance.

Martin Haag, a seasoned top-tier coach and former England rugby player, has been hired by Hartpury University

and College to manage “the continued growth and success” of its elite rugby programs.

Martin joins Hartpury as head of rugby performance, a strategic position that will oversee player development,

coaching, and performance across the board for the university and college’s rugby program.

Martin, a former Bath Rugby forward who earned two caps for England in the 1990s, offers “extensive experience”

from a “distinguished” coaching career that included England U20s, Bath, and Nottingham, where he guided the

team to the 2016 World Rugby Under 20 Championship.

Hartpury claims that the students and staff throughout its whole rugby route, including its successful senior and

university sides and its ACE programme, which strikes a balance between academic pursuits and rugby development,

will immediately benefit from his experience in ‘developing talent and constructing high-performing teams’.

“I’m honoured to be joining Hartpury and look forward to carrying on the amazing legacy created by those who came

before me,” Martin said.

Rugby at Hartpury University and College has a long history of distinction. I’m excited to collaborate with skilled

athletes and program personnel to establish an atmosphere where everyone can give their best effort and realise

their greatest potential.

“We are ecstatic to welcome Martin to Hartpury,” said Mick Axtell, COO.

“He is the perfect person to lead our performance rugby program into its next chapter because of his experience at

the highest levels of the sport and his dedication to player and coach development.”

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