Impressive Bath start to show their worth

THEY say Rome wasn’t built in a day, but ever since his arrival back in June 2022, Johann van Graan has quietly been laying some solid foundation at the famous Recreation Ground. 

- MARK STEVENS

Like all new builds, it takes time for the fruits of the labour to be clearly on show. However, cast your mind back to the final few months of last season, and it was clear Bath Rugby were starting to awake from their slumber of recent years.

Now, just a week out from the start of the new Gallagher Premiership season, van Graan’s side produced an impressive display to sink West Country rivals, Exeter Chiefs, in their final fixture of this season’s Premiership Rugby Cup.

The Chiefs arrived in the historical city with anunblemished record from their opening four games. A place in the semi-finals was already assured ahead of kick-off, but they were given a harsh reminder of higher league opposition as Bath swept them aside with a powerful first half performance.

Niall Annett, Tom De Glanville, Piers Francis and Will Muir all found their way over for the Blue, Black & Whites as they lead 29-0 at the break.