My mission is to make Bath exciting and scoring tries

Bath’s first-year director of rugby Stuart Hooper tells NEALE HARVEY how he’s coping with the current shutdown while attempting to plan ahead.

- NEALE HARVEY

We’re in uncharted waters with Covid-19, what’s been the most challenging part for you at Bath?

It’s come at a time where not being able to be physically connected with the players and staff is really difficult. Normally at this point of the season you’re massively involved in striving for the play-offs and it’s an exciting time. You’ve got your international players back and are really trying to push on, so that’s hugely frustrating and it’s also the time of the season where people are preparing to move on from clubs and you’re finalising signings for the following season. All these things have been disrupted and conversations you want to be having face to face with people are now being done on the phone or by a video call. Not having that human connection is very challenging.

In common with most clubs your guys have accepted significant short-term pay-cuts. How have they handled that?

Everyone across the club has been amazing in the way they’ve dealt with it. The players are the guys who tend to get the headlines but the rest of our staff have been exemplary in their understanding and acceptance of why things have needed to change from an outgoings perspective. Let’s be clear, nobody wants to get paid less money – players or staff – but everybody’s been willing to help the club and we’ve got to a point where we can manage this situation.

How supportive have owner Bruce Craig and CEO Tarquin McDonald been to you?