Looking to go one step beyond this time around
The Rugby Paper|September 15, 2024
NE small step is what it will take for Bath to go one better than last season and secure the Premiership for the first time, but it would be one of the biggest taken by the club in the professional era.
Looking to go one step beyond this time around

Only winning the Champions Cup in 1998 rivals it and Bath, one of only five clubs who have been permanent residents since the Premiership started in 1997, were on the attack in June’s Premiership final needing a try to defeat Northampton only to be thwarted.

Bath start the new campaign at home to the Saints on Friday night when their thoughts will not so much be on revenge but continuing from where they left off last season two years after finishing bottom of the table.

“Last year is last year,” said Bath’s attack coach Lee Blackett, who joined the club last season after Wasps folded. “I have seen too many times what happens when you get caught up in the previous season.

“We were close, but it took a lot of hard work. We need to remember that and work even harder if we want to go one step further.”

Sale were saying the same this time last year having lost to Saracens in the final, but they took a step back, finishing third rather than second, and had to travel to Bath in the play-off semi-final.

“Momentum is a big thing in sport and Northampton will be a great way to start the season,” said Blackett. “Not many teams struggle early on and then manage to find a way.

Denne historien er fra September 15, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra September 15, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE RUGBY PAPERSe alt
Call to axe Sweeney 'as soon as possible'
The Rugby Paper

Call to axe Sweeney 'as soon as possible'

BILL Sweeney’s tenure as RFU chief executive is in a precarious position after Bill Beaumont’s announcement as an interim RFU Board Chairman resulted in increased unrest among over 200 clubs calling for a Special General Meeting.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 22, 2024
Ring fence has made English rugby go soft
The Rugby Paper

Ring fence has made English rugby go soft

THE most positive aspect to come out of the opening round of the European Cup was that, despite six out of the eight English clubs losing, it can get better and relatively quickly.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 15, 2024
The global travellers who light up game
The Rugby Paper

The global travellers who light up game

THERE is nothing especially funny about short-term memory loss, but it may just have an upside when it comes to rugby.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 15, 2024
Battling Bath looking to revive cup campaign
The Rugby Paper

Battling Bath looking to revive cup campaign

JOHANN van Graan is braced to take on the Italian national team in all but name as Bath look to revive their Champions Cup campaign.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 15, 2024
Off-target Gloucester get lesson in finishing
The Rugby Paper

Off-target Gloucester get lesson in finishing

KIWI Michael Ruru scored two early tries and put in a silky display as Vannes created a famous night in their history, securing a first ever Challenge Cup win over a misfiring Gloucester.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 15, 2024
We're happy to be the hunted, says Beckett
The Rugby Paper

We're happy to be the hunted, says Beckett

SARAH Beckett admits Gloucester-Hartpury have made an underwhelming start to their title defence but believes that's partly due to competition across the PWR being at an alltime high.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 15, 2024
Heard takes charge to keep out Sarries
The Rugby Paper

Heard takes charge to keep out Sarries

GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY secured a pulsating victory over Saracens to leapfrog the Londoners in the PWR table.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 15, 2024
Hellfire Corner gives a warm welcome to all
The Rugby Paper

Hellfire Corner gives a warm welcome to all

RUGBY was undergoing a massive boom 150 years ago so we shouldn’t be surprised so many teams are celebrating their sesquicentennial anniversary as those who glory in long words like to call it.

time-read
5 mins  |
December 15, 2024
My fierce Tigers are roaring-Howison
The Rugby Paper

My fierce Tigers are roaring-Howison

A RUTHLESS second-half display saw Sheffield Tigers come from behind to score 29 unanswered points and seal a vital bonus point win against bottom of the table Billingham.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 15, 2024
Brave Lupus banking on Mo'unga class
The Rugby Paper

Brave Lupus banking on Mo'unga class

THE fourth season of Japan Rugby League One kicks off this week, with the tournament opening with the clash between Mie Honda Heat and Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo on December 21.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 15, 2024