DIRECTOR OF RUGBY: Jack Rowell
ACTING HEAD COACH: Steve Meehan
FORWARDS COACH: Mark Bakewell
CAPTAIN: Steve Borthwick
GROUND CAPACITY: The Recreation Ground, 10,600
LAST SEASON: Premiership: 9th Powergen Cup: semi-finals Heineken Cup: semi-finals
CLUB WEBSITE: bathrugby.com
FANS’ WEBSITES: allez-bath.co.ukbathrugbyere.co.uk
PHONE NUMBERS: Club: 01225 325200 Tickets: 0871 721 1865
COACHING CHAOS MAY LEAD TO A SLOW START
Is it going to be another tough season? Nucleus of a strong squad but there have been few signings of note, which suggests that the coming season will not be entirely plain sailing, especially during internationals. The rookie Australian coaches could also take time to find their feet.
How have Bath spent pre-season? The delay in appointing coaches prevented any real planning over the summer. The flux meant pre-season initially focused exclusively on physical preparation, with emphasis on rugby only starting with the confirmation of Steve Meehan as acting head coach.
What was that about the X Factor? Matt Stevens, above, became a singing sensation. The England prop revealed hitherto hidden talents as a singer and finished runner-up in ITV’s Celebrity X Factor.
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Have there been many changes at the Rec? A total overhaul in coaching staff. With Mike Foley and Richard Graham following John Connolly out of the exit door and with Mark Bakewell’s visa problems, the club were in limbo for some weeks. There is a new main sponsor in Helphire. The West Stand is now the Kronenbourg Stand (formerly Blackthorn); the main clubhouse bar is now the Theakston’s Bar.
Where will they finish? Eighth.
TRANSFERS
IN: Matt Banahan (London Irish), Shaun Berne (NSW Waratahs), Jonny Faamatuainu (Otahuhu), Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu (Auckland University), Pietro Travagli (Viadana), Chev Walker (Leeds Rhinos rugby league).
OUT: Mike Baxter (Pertemps Bees), Lee Best (Worcester), Spencer Davey (Doncaster), Andy Dunne (released), Taufa’ao Filise (Cardiff Blues), Salesi Finau (Bourgoin), Billy Fulton (released), James Hudson (London Irish).
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FAN’S GUIDE
IS IT EASY TO GET A TICKET AT THE REC?
Not unless you get in early. There are about 3,500 tickets made available six weeks before each match. Season ticket-holders get first dibs and Premiership matches at the Rec are invariably sell-outs.
HOW MANY SEASON TICKET-HOLDERS ARE THERE?
About 6,100 so far, slightly fewer than last year’s total. Mini- season tickets are also being launched soon, allowing fans who can’t make it to every game to guarantee themselves entrance to six at least.
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ANY CHANCE OF A REFURBISHED REC?
Not for a while. Legal wranglings continue, but for now the club promise to produce great rugby on the pitch. The city itself provides an impressive backdrop.
ANY CELEBRITIES TO LOOK OUT FOR IN THE STANDS?
Anthony Head, the actor of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and, more recently, Little Britain fame.
SQUAD
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BACKS: N Abendanon (nationality: Eng*), M Banahan (Jer), O Barkley (Eng), S Berne (Aus), D Bory (Fr), T Cheeseman (Wales), A Crockett (Eng), J Currie (Eng), I Davey (Eng), R Davis (Eng), E Fuimaono-Sapolu (Sam), A Higgins (Eng), G Hughes (Eng), J Maddock (NZ), C Malone (Aus), M Mangeolles (Eng), M Perry (Eng), M Stephenson (Eng), P Travagli (It), C Walker (Eng), N Walshe (Eng), A Williams (Wal), M Wood (Eng).
FORWARDS: D Barnes (Eng), A Beattie (Eng), D Bell (Eng), S Borthwick (Eng), C Brooker (Eng), G Delve (Wales), P Dixon (SA), J Faamatuainu (Sam), I Feaunati (Sam), R Fidler (Eng), D Flatman (Eng), C Goodman (Eng), D Grewcock (Eng), R Hawkins (Eng), A Jarvis (Eng), M Lipman (Eng), C Loader (Wales), L Mears (Eng), J Miller (Eng), M Myerscough (Eng), L Ovens (Eng), J Scaysbrook (Eng), P Short (Eng), D Smith (Eng), M Stevens (Eng), D Ward (Eng).
*South African-born
ONE TO WATCH
SHAUN BERNE
In his second stint at the club, the Australian will be a valuable and influential presence in midfield
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FIXTURES
September
2 Gloucester (a)
9 Leicester (h)
16 Northampton (a)
23 Worcester (h)
October
1 Bristol (a)
7 Ospreys (h)
15 Saracens (a)
20 Montpellier (a)
28 Connacht (h)
November
4 London Irish (h)
12 London Wasps (a)
17 Bristol (h)
25 Newcastle (h)
December
2 Gloucester (h)
9 Harlequins (a)
16 Harlequins (h)
22 Sale (h)
27 Bristol (a)
January
1 London Wasps (h)
6 Harlequins (a)
12/13/14 Connacht (a)
19 (tbc) Montpellier (h)
26 Harlequins (h)
February
17 London Irish (a)
24 Saracens (h)
March
3 Worcester (a)
10 Northampton (h)
17 Leicester (a)
April
7 Gloucester (h)
13 Sale (a)
28 Newcastle (a)
KEY
Premiership
EDF Anglo-Welsh Cup
European Challenge Cup