I'm calmer than I've ever been Obano

BENO Obano has credited the calming influence of Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan for one of his most consistent runs of form in a Bath jersey.

- JON NEWCOMBE

Van Graan’s mantra this season has been ‘never too high, never too low’ in reference to his team not getting carried away by wins or, equally, devastated by losses.

And Obano, who turns 30 on Friday, believes that the South African’s evenkeeled approach to rugby and life is just what he needed.

“My first coach was Mike Ford, second was Todd (Blackadder), Tabs (Tabai Matson), and then Hats (Neal Hatley) and Hoops (Stuart Hooper) and now Johann. I think I have become a mature adult under Johann. I think he has had that influence on me,” Obano told The Rugby Paper.

“I don’t know if I have been the calmest of people in my career, particularly in training. Johann has had a calming impact on me which helps me focus on getting onto my next job.”

The loosehead is in his 11th season at Bath and despite being left out of England’s 36-man training squad for the Autumn Nations Series, he appears in good spirits.