Bath out to go one step further this time around
The Rugby Paper|August 18, 2024
TWO years after finishing bottom of the Premiership, Bath were a score away from the title.
Bath out to go one step further this time around

They were on the attack in Northampton's 22 with time up at Twickenham having played for an hour with 14 men after Beno Obano's red card for a dangerous tackle, but the move broke down and their long wait for the trophy went on.

The defeat hurt, but it also showed why Bath had come a very long way in the two years Johann van Graan had been head coach.

The South African joined after the club had finished an ignominious 13th out of 13 with teams regarding them as a buffet, helping themselves: they twice conceded 71 points and went for 64 in another two matches, as impregnable as a sandcastle when the tide rolls in.

What Bath showed in the final was a fighting spirit and conditioning that had been glaringly absent before his arrival. They had demonstrated throughout the campaign they were able to stay in the fight, even rallying after being 40-3 down at Harlequins as they closed the gap to four points.

They had come from 22-8 down to beat Racing 92 in the Champions Cup, scored 35 second-half points against Gloucester at Kingsholm after trailing 20-10 at the interval and six of their seven Premiership defeats went down to the wire as they picked up at least one bonus point in defeat.

The one exception was at Leicester on New Year's Even when van Graan made 12 changes from the side that had defeated Harlequins the previous week. He had given every one of his players a tailor-made plan before the start of the season and after two Champions Cup weekends with two more to come rested his big-hitters.

It earned home criticism at the time but served the side in the closing weeks of the season. Bath won the second half 12-7 and were a try away from two bonus points in another game that showed how they had evolved as a side: never giving up and difficult to put away.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 18, 2024 من The Rugby Paper.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 18, 2024 من The Rugby Paper.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من THE RUGBY PAPER مشاهدة الكل
Sleightholme shows he has pace to burn
The Rugby Paper

Sleightholme shows he has pace to burn

OLLIE Sleightholme recently clocked his fastest sprint time and is racing to cement his spot as an England starter.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 17, 2024
McGoverne says playing for Chiefs is her priority
The Rugby Paper

McGoverne says playing for Chiefs is her priority

EXETER fly-half Olivia McGoverne has opted for club over country which will rule her out of contention for New Zealand’s World Cup bid in 2025.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 17, 2024
Trinity aim to get the culture right
The Rugby Paper

Trinity aim to get the culture right

HIGH-FLYING Trinity have made a remarkable turnaround this season after narrowly avoiding relegation last term, heading into this weekend unbeaten and are now eyeing up promotion from Level 7.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 17, 2024
YOUNG GUNS
The Rugby Paper

YOUNG GUNS

Louie Gulley experienced the environment of England U20s’ World Championship triumph up close this summerand now has a burning desire to become an age-grade star. The 19-year-old Exeter Chiefs hooker was part of Mark Mapletoft’s squad but didn’t manage to make an appearance during the tournament.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 17, 2024
The Cherry & Whites lay down marker  over Lucs
The Rugby Paper

The Cherry & Whites lay down marker over Lucs

CAMBORNE maintained their lead at the top of the table with a bonus-point win against their nearest challengers in a pulsating game.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 17, 2024
A brace from Botterill is key to victory for Esher
The Rugby Paper

A brace from Botterill is key to victory for Esher

A highly entertaining and enthralling contest between two sides fighting at the foot of the table was eventually won by Esher after the lead had changed no less than seven times throughout an absorbing afternoon.

time-read
1 min  |
November 17, 2024
Chiefs in hunt for new investment
The Rugby Paper

Chiefs in hunt for new investment

TONY Rowe has confirmed the search for new investors into Exeter Chiefs has begun as he looks to safeguard the longterm future of the Premiership club.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 17, 2024
McParland keen to shine for England A
The Rugby Paper

McParland keen to shine for England A

NORTHAMPTON scrum-half Archie McParland feels he has returned a better player following a nasty injury that denied him a World Cup winners medal and is now ready to fly into a new opportunity with England A.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 17, 2024
Undercard get chance to show their A-game
The Rugby Paper

Undercard get chance to show their A-game

ENGLAND’S A team today get their first major work-out after being resurrected earlier this year when Australia’s undercard provide the opposition at The Stoop.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 17, 2024
England look like a clueless rabble
The Rugby Paper

England look like a clueless rabble

I WATCHED with a growing sense of bewilderment as England yet again took to the field against Australia looking to all intents and purpose as if they had just been introduced to each other on the coach into Twickenham.

time-read
1 min  |
November 17, 2024