Tyler Offiah is one of English rugby’s most promising young talents, but his sporting ability tells only a tiny part of his story through life so far.
A half-hour or so in the 20-year-old Bath wing’s company makes for more-than-intriguing conversation.
Politics, modelling, his acting hopes and the ability to solve a Rubik’s Cube in just a handful of minutes are among the many things on the agenda when he speaks to Daily Mail Sport.
‘My main thing outside of rugby and academics at the moment is acting,’ said Offiah, the son of former league great Martin and a part of England’s Under-20 side preparing for their Junior World Championship semi-final with South Africa on Monday.
‘I want to be an actor after I’m done with rugby, but that’s a long way in the future. My favourite actors are Denzel Washington, Timothee Chalamet, Matthew McConaughey and Leonardo DiCaprio. I also like Damson Idris. I love (Idris’s US crime series) Snowfall. I thought the F1 film with Brad Pitt was banging too.
Tyler Offiah goes over for a Bath try in the PREM Cup last November
… and he is applauded by team-mates after his senior debut back in May 2025
‘My Godfather, Chris Obi, is an acting coach and he runs some classes at Morley College. When I’m at home, I get involved. I just love films. I’d love to be in a big blockbuster one day like a Christopher Nolan film or a big Hollywood one.
‘That would be really cool, but I’d be happy even if I was in a small play. I want to enjoy something I enjoy doing and do it in a self-fulfilling way.’
For now, rugby ticks that box for Offiah. He has already tasted senior action for Johann van Graan’s Bath while studying politics and international relations at the city’s university where he was also part of their side that won a league and cup double. Alongside his father, Offiah’s rugby hero is former England and Lions wing Anthony Watson.
In his childhood, Offiah would model for TV commercials. Educated at the renowned Wellington College, he would often be the pupil to stand up take on performative duties such as church readings. Offiah is not a young man afraid of expressing himself on or off the pitch.
‘I do think that is a big thing in sport,’ he said. ‘The easiest example to explain is Kobe Bryant – he had what he called The Mamba Mentality. When he was playing, he was so switched on and focused that nothing could faze him. There’s a lot of studies that have been done about almost taking on a different persona when you’re playing. I think you need a bit of that in rugby. It’s a violent sport.
‘I wouldn’t say I’m a totally different person when I play, but I find ways to get myself into the right state I need to be in on the pitch. It’s a bit like acting in a way. When you’re acting, your character isn’t you, but you also have to embody yourself within it. It’s also a performance, in a different kind of way.’
Offiah with brother Phoenix, mother Virginia and father Martin after his 2025 debut
Damson Idris was honoured for his role in Snowfall – one of Offiah’s favourite shows
Offiah hopes to one day follow in the footsteps of his father. He will need to be at his best to take England’s age grade side into the final of this year’s Junior World Championship in Georgia. South Africa are their last-four opposition, a little over a week after Steve Borthwick’s senior side were well beaten by the Springboks in Johannesburg. ‘Rugby is only one part of life, but for me right now, it’s the largest part,’ Offiah said.
‘I’ve definitely got some hefty goals, some that a lot of people would think are maybe overconfident or arrogant. But I can’t fathom anyone not aiming to be the best. I want to win the Junior World Cup.
Back at Bath, I want to make more of an impression on the first team and hopefully become a starting winger. I want to play for England and the Lions. ‘Performance-wise, my love for the game comes through try scoring. I’d obviously want to be hunting try-scoring records in the Premiership and with England. That’s where my sights are.’
Offiah, who is teetotal, isn’t wrong that his ambitions are lofty. But when your father is one of the greatest to have ever played rugby league and has a statue at Wembley, it’s hard not to imagine setting high standards.
Offiah is one of the England junior squad who has already seen several young faces progress to Borthwick’s full set-up. They include his close friend Noah Caluori, who marked his first full cap against Fiji in Liverpool on Saturday with a try. England’s age grade system continues to produce impressive young talent and the pathway is there to full international honours.
‘You have to forge your own path. You can’t live on the coattails of others,’ Offiah said, when asked about his relationship with his decorated father. ‘But my perspective has definitely changed over the years.
Offiah talkes a hit against Scotland in the U20 Six Nations earlier this year
‘At times, when I was young, I thought some of the things I did were because of my father and not because of me. Now, I see my father’s relationship with rugby and sport as a superpower. I can tap into his experience. I see it as a resource I can use and I’m very grateful for the opportunities he’s helped give me.’
Alongside Offiah, England’s current Under-20 set-up – coached by Andy Titterrell – has plenty of talent in the likes of James Pater, Harlequins scrum-half Lucas Friday, lock Elliot Williams and captain Connor Treacey.
They set-up their meeting with the Baby Boks with a thrilling 40-38 pool stage win over Argentina last time out. For Offiah, it will be another chance to get into character and show his talent.
‘We’re excited about the challenge of South Africa,’ Offiah said. ‘England playing the Springboks has a big cultural significance. We’re really excited. The camaraderie within the group is at an all-time high. Obviously after beating Argentina, that sort of result brings people closer together and builds confidence.’
Self-belief and confidence aren’t things the articulate Offiah struggles with. Whether it’s on stage, in the lecture theatre or on a rugby pitch, he looks one to watch out for in the years to come.
