Bath Rugby
Encyclopedia
Bath Rugby is an English
professional rugby union
club that is based in the city of Bath. They play in the Aviva Premiership league. The club has experienced major success, having in the past won England's domestic competition, the Anglo-Welsh Cup (as the John Player and Pilkington Cup), as well as the Heineken Cup
.
Founded in 1865, Bath Football Club is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in existence. They play at the Recreation Ground
, also known as the Rec, in the City of Bath. Their CEO is Nick Blofeld (former head of Epsom race course).
in Bath (founded 1825) for 'something to do in the winter'. This is the reason why the club colours of the two clubs are identical. With an original home base at North Parade, Bath then led a nomadic existence during the 1800s playing at Claverton Down, Lambridge Meadows, Taylor's Field and Henrietta Park. They then leased a plot of land at Pulteney Meadow where today's Rec stands. With most games played against local opposition: Weston-Super-Mare
, Gloucester
, Clifton
and the "Arabs" from Bristol
. By the 1890s, Welsh
clubs were starting to become regular opponents, with Cardiff
and Penarth regularly appearing in the fixture list. With a traditionally lightweight pack, they would suffer regular defeats. The club played its first fixture against overseas opposition in 1907, as Racing Club de Bordelais crossed the Channel to play at the Rec. 1954 saw a first overseas tour by Bath, who beat the French teams St. Claude (23–3). Givors (9–6) and Tour du Pin (17–0).
The trip was repeated the following year with wins against St. Claude (13–8), Dijon (14–0) and Macon (8–3) as Captain Peter Sibley was the first to develop the ethos for fast, attacking rugby in the Sixties — an ethos that still lives on in today's team. By 1984, the first of ten knock-out cup successes had been achieved, at the expense of Bristol. Bath dominated the John Player Special Cup winning it four years on a trot, from 1984 to 1987. The cup sponsor changed to Pilkington, and Bath after a blip in 1988 dominated that cup as well winning it a further six times.
With six foot four inch players such as England international back row David Gay, Peter Heindorff, Peter had players with physique to impose this style of play. With the mercurial John Horton and the incisive Mike Beese, the side continued to develop Bath's reputation in the early Seventies with some spectacular wins over the cream of Welsh rugby union in its heyday. However, the revolution began with the arrival of coach Jack Rowell
in 1978. Rowell transformed the ethos of a club that had traditionally drawn its players from the immediate locality. When formalised competitions started in the 1980s Jack Rowell
brought premature professionalism to Bath and began to assemble a side with power and precision. The power, provided by Gareth Chilcott
and Roger Spurrell was complemented by the precision of John Horton and winger David Trick.
The Premier League
started in 1986 and Bath dominated those by winning six times in eight years and doing the "double" four times. Bath were an unstoppable force in 1988/89 and ran away with the Premiership title, winning the first ten of their eleven league matches. Their only defeat was at Leicester in the last game of the season, when Bath, with the title already won, rested several key players. The two sides met again a week later in the Club Championship Cup final at Twickenham which Bath won 10–6 to become the first English club to wrap up the double of winning both League and Cup.
1990 saw the last of six consecutive Twickenham final wins with a 48–6 humiliation of Gloucester.
1993/94 saw a unique "Grand Slam" of titles. In addition to the league (played on a home and away basis for the first time), the team won the Pilkington Cup (beating Leicester, with tries from Tony Swift and a youthful Mike Catt
), the Middlesex Sevens (beating Orrell in the Final) and the Worthington Tens. Arguably the most "professional" amateur club side in English history, Bath has struggled to match the achievements of the Eighties and early Nineties, after which, other clubs started paying their players making an even playing field.
In May 1996, Bath Rugby and Wigan RLFC
made history by playing against each other at both codes
. The first match was at Maine Road
, Manchester
under League rules – result Wigan 82 Bath 6; then two weeks later the return match under Union rules was held at Twickenham
– result Bath 44 Wigan 19.
The Club announced that:
Commenting on today’s announcement, new owner Bruce Craig, said: “It’s a great honour to be handed the opportunity of continuing the development of this prestigious club.”
Jack Rowell
's departure (to take control of the England team
) in 1995 and rugby union becoming a professional sport in 1996 has seen Bath struggle to find consistency either on or off the field. With regular changes in the coaching staff (including Andy Robinson
's appointment as England's Head Coach) and with a seemingly steady turnaround of players, the formula that led to past successes is still being sought. However, Bath captained by Andy Nicol
still managed to be the first British club to lift the Heineken Cup
, in the 1997–1998 season. Bath beat French club Brive
19–18 in an exciting final in Bordeaux
with Jon Callard
scoring all the points for Bath.
Despite European glory, Bath slumped to sixth in the league the next season. In the disastrous league campaign of 2002/3, relegation was avoided by only a single point on the last day.
Having narrowly avoided relegation and merger with bitter rivals Bristol in the 2002/2003 season, the club invested heavily in its squad, with no fewer than 15 changes in personnel during the summer of 2003. Jack Rowell
and Michael Foley recruited wisely and the appointment of John Connolly
as Head Coach helped gel the players into a formidable unit and the team ended the regular season at the top of the table six points clear of Wasps
, but lost in the play-off final match at Twickenham
.
Bath finished 4th at the end of the 2004/2005 season. The club reached the Powergen Cup final after a dramatic extra-time try by Andy Williams in the semi-final against Gloucester
, but lost to Leeds
at Twickenham
after a poor display. The pack continued to dominate but, with a backline once again decimated by injuries, many bemoaned the 10-man rugby displayed by Bath. Two players, Matt Stevens
and Danny Grewcock
, were selected for the Lions tour to New Zealand
.
By the end of the 2004/2005 season, Coach John Connolly had announced his intention to return to his native Australia, having created one of the most dominant packs in club rugby. The appointment of ex-England National Academy Manager Brian Ashton
as the new Head Coach was announced in November 2005, and marked the return of the popular coach, who helped lead Bath to 6 league titles and 6 cup titles between 1989 and 1996. In May 2006, rumours of Ashton's return to the England coaching setup were rife. These rumours were confirmed on 25 May 2006, when Bath agreed to release Ashton from his contract for an undisclosed compensatory figure, to return to the RFU fold as Attack Coach for the England team.
Well known Bath players from the recent history of the club include Jeremy Guscott
; Dan Lyle
, one of the first Americans
to play regularly in Britain; England captain Phil de Glanville
; and Andy Robinson
, an assistant coach of the Rugby World Cup
-winning England side, who went on to be the England team's head coach and is now the head coach of Scotland
.
Throughout the 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 seasons, Bath Rugby played in the Heineken Cup – a European cup tournament. In 2006 they controversially defeated Leicester Tigers in the quarter finals at a sold out Walkers' Stadium in Leicester, being reduced to 13 men for the last ten minutes of the match for continual infringements at the scrummage. Bath then went on to lose the semi-finals against Biarritz. As they finished 9th in the league that year, Bath were ineligible for the 2006/2007 HC competition, instead contesting the European Challenge Cup.
Bath were forced to find a new coaching team in the summer of 2006 after head coach Brian Ashton joined the England national team, forwards coach Michael Foley returned to Australia and skills coach Richard Graham joined Saracens. Backs coach, Steve Meehan, was appointed the new acting head coach. His appointment was later made permanent.
In 2008 Bath won their first silverware in 10 years, beating Worcester to win the European Challenge Cup
.After defeat in the 2003 and 2007 finals, it was third time lucky for the English team who ground out an impressive win over Worcester Warriors at Kingsholm. Outgoing skipper Steve Borthwick led by example and was a tower of strength in the lineout on his way to becoming Fed Ex Man of the match. Bothwick, who joins Saracens next season, was carried aloft by his jubilant teammates after a titanic tussle in appalling conditions. Worcester won the toss and opted to play with the wind at their backs in the first period. It mattered not as Bath dominated possession and territory in the first quarter, and deservedly took the lead on 15 minutes with an Olly Barkley penalty. Barkley went on to score a second penalty a drop goal and a conversion, but it was tries from Jonny Fa'amatuainu and Nick Abendanon that put the game beyond the reach of brave Worcester. Bath won 24–16.
Although working closely with Bath Rugby, it remains an independent club, with an elected Committee of 11 members with four named positions, comprising the Chairman, Hon Sec, Hon Treas and Membership Secretary. The CEO of Bath Rugby is also an ex officio member of the committee. The Bath Rugby Supporters' Club (BRSC) has a membership of over 1,000 and a fully drawn up constitution. Adult members pay £5 annual subscription, £3 for Juniors and £10 for family membership. Each member receives a badge and membership card, the design of which changes at the start of each season. Members are entitled to various discounts at hostelries and retail outlets around Bath, including the Bath Rugby shop. The BRSC issues a quarterly Newsletter and has its own website at www.allez-bath.co.uk.
Social events and Q&A sessions are held throughout the year, with an AGM at the end of August and an Awards Supper held at the start of the season in September. All members are given an opportunity to vote for the players they consider are deserving of awards in various categories.
The BRSC runs at least one coach to every away game and proceeds from raffles held on these trips are donated to nominated local charities.
The BRSC is the major sponsor of the Bath Community Foundation, raising funds by means of a shirt raffle on every home match day and a competition called "Two in a Bath," which is jointly promoted with Bath Rugby. The club also sponsors a young player each year.
In 2003 the Bath Supporters Club was at the centre of a minor controversy when, unlike the Bristol Rugby
Supporters Club, it did not publicly oppose the proposed merger between the two clubs.
Bath was the first rugby club to have its own supporters' fanzine, Everytime Ref, Everytime! (ERE), and this was then followed by similar magazines compiled by supporters at Gloucester and Leicester. The Leicester magazine folded within its first season but Gloucester's Shedhead is still going strong. ERE was launched in 1991 and continued until 1999 when its paper format was replaced by an online fanzine.
ERE was devised and produced by two Bath rugby fanatics, Glen Leat and Clive Banks. They wanted to produce something which was more in tune with modern sports fans and had a bit of comedy linked to it. During 1999, one of the founders, Leat, began to explore the possibility of turning ERE in to an online magazine. He subsequently launched a very simple site called ERE2000 in 2000.
As of today, Leat continues to edit online form of ERE alongside a consortium of members.
, also known as "The Rec". The stadium is in the centre of the city, next to the River Avon. For the 2009–10 season the ground capacity was expanded to 11,700, and Bath play all of their home matches there during the club season. During summer, the ground is adjusted to make it capable for holding cricket
matches. This cricket pitch is used for local contests and by the Somerset County Cricket Club
for one match a year.
Lee Mears
Lewis Moody
David Wilson
Dave Attwood
Matt Banahan
Olly Barkley
Duncan Bell
David Flatman
Lee Mears
Lewis Moody
Ben Skirving
Sam Vesty
David Wilson Jack Cuthbert
Simon Taylor Michael Claassens
Francois Louw
Stephen Donald
Anthony Perenise
Chris Biller
(from
Gloucester) Charlie Beech
(from London Wasps
) Kyle Eastmond
(from St Helens) Carl Fearns
(from Sale Sharks
) Dan Hipkiss
(from Leicester Tigers
) Ryan Caldwell
(from Ulster
) Stephen Donald
(from
Waikato
) Anthony Perenise
(from Hawke's Bay
) Francois Louw
(from
Western Province
) Chris Biller
(from
San Francisco Golden Gate RFC
)
- Retiring David Barnes - Retiring Danny Grewcock
- Retiring Shontayne Hape
(to London Irish
) Aaron Jarvis
(to
Ospreys) Peter Short (to Exeter Chiefs
) Jacques Boussuge
(to
Brive
) Butch James
(to Lions
) Luke Watson
(to Southern Kings
) John van der Giessen
(to Utah Warriors)
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
club that is based in the city of Bath. They play in the Aviva Premiership league. The club has experienced major success, having in the past won England's domestic competition, the Anglo-Welsh Cup (as the John Player and Pilkington Cup), as well as the Heineken Cup
Heineken Cup
The Heineken Cup is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the six International Rugby Board countries in Europe whose national teams compete in the Six Nations Championship: England, France, Ireland,...
.
Founded in 1865, Bath Football Club is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in existence. They play at the Recreation Ground
Recreation Ground (Bath)
The Recreation Ground is a large open space in the centre of Bath, England, next to the River Avon, used for recreational purposes by Bath residents and the public generally....
, also known as the Rec, in the City of Bath. Their CEO is Nick Blofeld (former head of Epsom race course).
History
Bath Rugby Football Club is one of the oldest clubs in existence, having been founded in 1865 by members of Lansdown Cricket ClubLansdown Cricket Club
Lansdown Cricket Club, formed in 1825, is recognised as the earliest official organised cricket club in Somerset. Originally based in Lansdown, since 1869 the club has been based at Combe Park, Bath, adjacent to the Royal United Hospital.-Foundation:...
in Bath (founded 1825) for 'something to do in the winter'. This is the reason why the club colours of the two clubs are identical. With an original home base at North Parade, Bath then led a nomadic existence during the 1800s playing at Claverton Down, Lambridge Meadows, Taylor's Field and Henrietta Park. They then leased a plot of land at Pulteney Meadow where today's Rec stands. With most games played against local opposition: Weston-Super-Mare
Weston-super-Mare
Weston-super-Mare is a seaside resort, town and civil parish in the unitary authority of North Somerset, which is within the ceremonial county of Somerset, England. It is located on the Bristol Channel coast, south west of Bristol, spanning the coast between the bounding high ground of Worlebury...
, Gloucester
Gloucester RFC
Gloucester Rugby are a professional English rugby union club situated in the west country city of Gloucester. The club plays in the domestic Aviva Premiership...
, Clifton
Clifton Rugby Football Club
Clifton Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club founded in Clifton, Bristol, England. Over the years the club's home games have been played in a variety of locations in northern Bristol, though never in Clifton itself; since 1976 they have been based at the southern end of Cribbs Causeway.Clifton...
and the "Arabs" from Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
. By the 1890s, Welsh
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
clubs were starting to become regular opponents, with Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
and Penarth regularly appearing in the fixture list. With a traditionally lightweight pack, they would suffer regular defeats. The club played its first fixture against overseas opposition in 1907, as Racing Club de Bordelais crossed the Channel to play at the Rec. 1954 saw a first overseas tour by Bath, who beat the French teams St. Claude (23–3). Givors (9–6) and Tour du Pin (17–0).
The trip was repeated the following year with wins against St. Claude (13–8), Dijon (14–0) and Macon (8–3) as Captain Peter Sibley was the first to develop the ethos for fast, attacking rugby in the Sixties — an ethos that still lives on in today's team. By 1984, the first of ten knock-out cup successes had been achieved, at the expense of Bristol. Bath dominated the John Player Special Cup winning it four years on a trot, from 1984 to 1987. The cup sponsor changed to Pilkington, and Bath after a blip in 1988 dominated that cup as well winning it a further six times.
With six foot four inch players such as England international back row David Gay, Peter Heindorff, Peter had players with physique to impose this style of play. With the mercurial John Horton and the incisive Mike Beese, the side continued to develop Bath's reputation in the early Seventies with some spectacular wins over the cream of Welsh rugby union in its heyday. However, the revolution began with the arrival of coach Jack Rowell
Jack Rowell
Jack Rowell OBE is a former coach of rugby union sides including Bath and England.-Coaching:Between 1978 and 1994 Rowell coached Bath during their golden era, winning eight John Player/Pilkington Cups and five League Championships....
in 1978. Rowell transformed the ethos of a club that had traditionally drawn its players from the immediate locality. When formalised competitions started in the 1980s Jack Rowell
Jack Rowell
Jack Rowell OBE is a former coach of rugby union sides including Bath and England.-Coaching:Between 1978 and 1994 Rowell coached Bath during their golden era, winning eight John Player/Pilkington Cups and five League Championships....
brought premature professionalism to Bath and began to assemble a side with power and precision. The power, provided by Gareth Chilcott
Gareth Chilcott
Gareth James Chilcott is a former rugby union player, who played at prop for Bath and England.He made his England debut against Australia in 1984...
and Roger Spurrell was complemented by the precision of John Horton and winger David Trick.
The Premier League
Guinness Premiership
The English Premiership, also currently known as the Aviva Premiership because of the league's sponsorship by Aviva, is a professional league competition for rugby union football clubs in the top division of the English rugby system. There are twelve clubs in the Premiership...
started in 1986 and Bath dominated those by winning six times in eight years and doing the "double" four times. Bath were an unstoppable force in 1988/89 and ran away with the Premiership title, winning the first ten of their eleven league matches. Their only defeat was at Leicester in the last game of the season, when Bath, with the title already won, rested several key players. The two sides met again a week later in the Club Championship Cup final at Twickenham which Bath won 10–6 to become the first English club to wrap up the double of winning both League and Cup.
1990 saw the last of six consecutive Twickenham final wins with a 48–6 humiliation of Gloucester.
1993/94 saw a unique "Grand Slam" of titles. In addition to the league (played on a home and away basis for the first time), the team won the Pilkington Cup (beating Leicester, with tries from Tony Swift and a youthful Mike Catt
Mike Catt
Michael John "Mike" Catt OBE is a South African-born former English rugby union footballer who played for London Irish and Bath. He earned 75 international caps for England and played in three World Cup Finals, in 1995, 2003 and 2007...
), the Middlesex Sevens (beating Orrell in the Final) and the Worthington Tens. Arguably the most "professional" amateur club side in English history, Bath has struggled to match the achievements of the Eighties and early Nineties, after which, other clubs started paying their players making an even playing field.
In May 1996, Bath Rugby and Wigan RLFC
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
made history by playing against each other at both codes
Clash of the Codes (rugby)
Clash of the Codes is the name given to the special two match inter-code series between rugby union side Bath RFC and rugby league side Wigan RLFC played in May 1996.-Background:...
. The first match was at Maine Road
Maine Road
Maine Road was a football stadium in Moss Side, Manchester, England that was home to Manchester City F.C. from its construction in 1923 until 2003...
, Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
under League rules – result Wigan 82 Bath 6; then two weeks later the return match under Union rules was held at Twickenham
Twickenham Stadium
Twickenham Stadium is a stadium located in Twickenham, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It is the largest rugby union stadium in the United Kingdom and has recently been enlarged to seat 82,000...
– result Bath 44 Wigan 19.
New Ownership
On 14 April 2010, Bath Rugby announced a change of ownership and set out exciting and ambitious plans for the future of the club.The Club announced that:
- Andrew BrownswordAndrew BrownswordAndrew Douglas Brownsword , is an English entrepreneur, developing his fortune through the greeting cards and gifts of Forever Friends. He has regularly featured on the Sunday Times Rich List, with an estimated fortune of £190 million....
(the owner and Chairman of the Club) and the Trustees were selling 100% of the Club’s shares to Bruce CraigBruce CraigBruce Craig is a businessman and entrepreneur. On 14 April 2010, Bruce Craig bought Bath Rugby from Andrew Brownsword.-Early life:...
, a successful West-Country-born entrepreneur and businessman, and former rugby player.
- A proposal to create a new club headquarters and elite training complex at Farleigh HouseFarleigh HouseFarleigh House is a large country house in the English county of Somerset that was formerly the centre of the Farleigh Hungerford estate, and much of the stone came from Farleigh Hungerford Castle.The house is a Grade II listed building....
, in Farleigh Hungerford, 15 minutes from the centre of Bath.
- Renewed commitment to plans for a 20,000–25,000 seat stadium to hopefully be confirmed within the next 12 months.
Commenting on today’s announcement, new owner Bruce Craig, said: “It’s a great honour to be handed the opportunity of continuing the development of this prestigious club.”
The Professional Era
Jack Rowell
Jack Rowell OBE is a former coach of rugby union sides including Bath and England.-Coaching:Between 1978 and 1994 Rowell coached Bath during their golden era, winning eight John Player/Pilkington Cups and five League Championships....
's departure (to take control of the England team
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
) in 1995 and rugby union becoming a professional sport in 1996 has seen Bath struggle to find consistency either on or off the field. With regular changes in the coaching staff (including Andy Robinson
Andy Robinson
Richard Andrew 'Andy' Robinson OBE is an English rugby union coach and retired player. He is currently the head coach of Scotland.Robinson played as an openside flanker for Bath, England and the British and Irish Lions...
's appointment as England's Head Coach) and with a seemingly steady turnaround of players, the formula that led to past successes is still being sought. However, Bath captained by Andy Nicol
Andy Nicol
Andrew Douglas Nicol , is a former rugby union player and the first British player to lift the Heineken Cup as captain of Bath Rugby...
still managed to be the first British club to lift the Heineken Cup
Heineken Cup
The Heineken Cup is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the six International Rugby Board countries in Europe whose national teams compete in the Six Nations Championship: England, France, Ireland,...
, in the 1997–1998 season. Bath beat French club Brive
CA Brive
Club Athlétique Brive Corrèze Limousin is a French rugby union team founded in 1910 and based in Brive-la-Gaillarde in the département of Corrèze of the Limousin région . They wear black and white and play in the Stade Amédée-Domenech .- History :The club was created on 15 March 1910 established on...
19–18 in an exciting final in Bordeaux
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in the Gironde department in southwestern France.The Bordeaux-Arcachon-Libourne metropolitan area, has a population of 1,010,000 and constitutes the sixth-largest urban area in France. It is the capital of the Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture...
with Jon Callard
Jon Callard
Jonathan Edward Brooks Callard is a coach at the Rugby Football Union's National Academy. He formerly played rugby union at fullback for Bath and England. He is the brother of ex-Newport RFC player Nigel Callard....
scoring all the points for Bath.
Despite European glory, Bath slumped to sixth in the league the next season. In the disastrous league campaign of 2002/3, relegation was avoided by only a single point on the last day.
Having narrowly avoided relegation and merger with bitter rivals Bristol in the 2002/2003 season, the club invested heavily in its squad, with no fewer than 15 changes in personnel during the summer of 2003. Jack Rowell
Jack Rowell
Jack Rowell OBE is a former coach of rugby union sides including Bath and England.-Coaching:Between 1978 and 1994 Rowell coached Bath during their golden era, winning eight John Player/Pilkington Cups and five League Championships....
and Michael Foley recruited wisely and the appointment of John Connolly
John Connolly (rugby)
John "Knuckles" Connolly is a rugby union coach and the former head coach of the Wallabies. Connolly has in the past worked with the Queensland Reds, Stade Français, Swansea RFC as well as Bath Rugby....
as Head Coach helped gel the players into a formidable unit and the team ended the regular season at the top of the table six points clear of Wasps
London Wasps
London Wasps is an English professional rugby union team. The men's first team, which forms London Wasps, was derived from Wasps Football Club who were formed in 1867 at the now defunct Eton and Middlesex Tavern in North London, at the turn of professionalism in 1999...
, but lost in the play-off final match at Twickenham
Twickenham Stadium
Twickenham Stadium is a stadium located in Twickenham, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It is the largest rugby union stadium in the United Kingdom and has recently been enlarged to seat 82,000...
.
Bath finished 4th at the end of the 2004/2005 season. The club reached the Powergen Cup final after a dramatic extra-time try by Andy Williams in the semi-final against Gloucester
Gloucester RFC
Gloucester Rugby are a professional English rugby union club situated in the west country city of Gloucester. The club plays in the domestic Aviva Premiership...
, but lost to Leeds
Leeds Tykes
Leeds Carnegie is an English rugby union club, based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, currently playing in the RFU Championship. In recent years, they have bounced between the Premiership and the second-level National Division One, now known as the RFU Championship; they were either promoted or relegated...
at Twickenham
Twickenham Stadium
Twickenham Stadium is a stadium located in Twickenham, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It is the largest rugby union stadium in the United Kingdom and has recently been enlarged to seat 82,000...
after a poor display. The pack continued to dominate but, with a backline once again decimated by injuries, many bemoaned the 10-man rugby displayed by Bath. Two players, Matt Stevens
Matt Stevens (rugby player)
Matthew Stevens is an English rugby union player, who plays at prop for Saracens F.C. and .He can cover both sides of the scrum and most of his England caps have come at tighthead. He formerly played for Bath Rugby club...
and Danny Grewcock
Danny Grewcock
Daniel Jonathan Grewcock MBE is a retired English rugby union rugby lock who played for Bath, England and the British and Irish Lions...
, were selected for the Lions tour to New Zealand
2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand
In 2005 the British and Irish Lions rugby union team toured New Zealand for the first time since 1993, playing 7 tour matches against first and second division clubs from the National Provincial Championship series, 1 tour match against the national New Zealand all Māori club, and 3 official test...
.
By the end of the 2004/2005 season, Coach John Connolly had announced his intention to return to his native Australia, having created one of the most dominant packs in club rugby. The appointment of ex-England National Academy Manager Brian Ashton
Brian Ashton (rugby player)
William Brian Ashton MBE is a former rugby union player and the former Head Coach of the England and Ireland national rugby union teams.-Biography:...
as the new Head Coach was announced in November 2005, and marked the return of the popular coach, who helped lead Bath to 6 league titles and 6 cup titles between 1989 and 1996. In May 2006, rumours of Ashton's return to the England coaching setup were rife. These rumours were confirmed on 25 May 2006, when Bath agreed to release Ashton from his contract for an undisclosed compensatory figure, to return to the RFU fold as Attack Coach for the England team.
Jeremy Guscott
Jeremy Clayton Guscott is a former rugby union outside centre who played for Bath, England and the British and Irish Lions. On rare occasions, he has also appeared for England on the wing....
; Dan Lyle
Dan Lyle
Daniel Joseph Lyle is an American rugby union footballer. A 1992 graduate of Virginia Military Institute, he took up rugby union aged 23 in an attempt to keep fit. He had been invited to train with American football team Minnesota Vikings and had a trial with the Washington Redskins...
, one of the first Americans
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to play regularly in Britain; England captain Phil de Glanville
Phil de Glanville
Philip Ranulph de Glanville is a former English rugby union player who played at centre for Bath and England.-Rugby career:...
; and Andy Robinson
Andy Robinson
Richard Andrew 'Andy' Robinson OBE is an English rugby union coach and retired player. He is currently the head coach of Scotland.Robinson played as an openside flanker for Bath, England and the British and Irish Lions...
, an assistant coach of the Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup is an international rugby union competition organised by the International Rugby Board and held every four years since 1987....
-winning England side, who went on to be the England team's head coach and is now the head coach of Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
.
Throughout the 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 seasons, Bath Rugby played in the Heineken Cup – a European cup tournament. In 2006 they controversially defeated Leicester Tigers in the quarter finals at a sold out Walkers' Stadium in Leicester, being reduced to 13 men for the last ten minutes of the match for continual infringements at the scrummage. Bath then went on to lose the semi-finals against Biarritz. As they finished 9th in the league that year, Bath were ineligible for the 2006/2007 HC competition, instead contesting the European Challenge Cup.
Bath were forced to find a new coaching team in the summer of 2006 after head coach Brian Ashton joined the England national team, forwards coach Michael Foley returned to Australia and skills coach Richard Graham joined Saracens. Backs coach, Steve Meehan, was appointed the new acting head coach. His appointment was later made permanent.
In 2008 Bath won their first silverware in 10 years, beating Worcester to win the European Challenge Cup
European Challenge Cup
The European Challenge Cup, currently known for sponsorship reasons as the Amlin Challenge Cup, is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup. The cup was known as the Parker Pen Shield from 2001 to 2003 and Parker Pen Challenge Cup from 2003 to 2005. The European...
.After defeat in the 2003 and 2007 finals, it was third time lucky for the English team who ground out an impressive win over Worcester Warriors at Kingsholm. Outgoing skipper Steve Borthwick led by example and was a tower of strength in the lineout on his way to becoming Fed Ex Man of the match. Bothwick, who joins Saracens next season, was carried aloft by his jubilant teammates after a titanic tussle in appalling conditions. Worcester won the toss and opted to play with the wind at their backs in the first period. It mattered not as Bath dominated possession and territory in the first quarter, and deservedly took the lead on 15 minutes with an Olly Barkley penalty. Barkley went on to score a second penalty a drop goal and a conversion, but it was tries from Jonny Fa'amatuainu and Nick Abendanon that put the game beyond the reach of brave Worcester. Bath won 24–16.
Supporters
The official supporters' club of Bath Rugby was formed in January 1997. The driving force was Jake Massey, who lobbied the club relentlessly once the game went professional.Although working closely with Bath Rugby, it remains an independent club, with an elected Committee of 11 members with four named positions, comprising the Chairman, Hon Sec, Hon Treas and Membership Secretary. The CEO of Bath Rugby is also an ex officio member of the committee. The Bath Rugby Supporters' Club (BRSC) has a membership of over 1,000 and a fully drawn up constitution. Adult members pay £5 annual subscription, £3 for Juniors and £10 for family membership. Each member receives a badge and membership card, the design of which changes at the start of each season. Members are entitled to various discounts at hostelries and retail outlets around Bath, including the Bath Rugby shop. The BRSC issues a quarterly Newsletter and has its own website at www.allez-bath.co.uk.
Social events and Q&A sessions are held throughout the year, with an AGM at the end of August and an Awards Supper held at the start of the season in September. All members are given an opportunity to vote for the players they consider are deserving of awards in various categories.
The BRSC runs at least one coach to every away game and proceeds from raffles held on these trips are donated to nominated local charities.
The BRSC is the major sponsor of the Bath Community Foundation, raising funds by means of a shirt raffle on every home match day and a competition called "Two in a Bath," which is jointly promoted with Bath Rugby. The club also sponsors a young player each year.
In 2003 the Bath Supporters Club was at the centre of a minor controversy when, unlike the Bristol Rugby
Bristol Rugby
Bristol Rugby is a rugby union club based in Bristol, England. The club currently plays in the RFU Championship and competes in the British and Irish Cup. They rely in large part on the many junior rugby clubs in the region, particularly those from 'the Combination'...
Supporters Club, it did not publicly oppose the proposed merger between the two clubs.
Bath was the first rugby club to have its own supporters' fanzine, Everytime Ref, Everytime! (ERE), and this was then followed by similar magazines compiled by supporters at Gloucester and Leicester. The Leicester magazine folded within its first season but Gloucester's Shedhead is still going strong. ERE was launched in 1991 and continued until 1999 when its paper format was replaced by an online fanzine.
ERE was devised and produced by two Bath rugby fanatics, Glen Leat and Clive Banks. They wanted to produce something which was more in tune with modern sports fans and had a bit of comedy linked to it. During 1999, one of the founders, Leat, began to explore the possibility of turning ERE in to an online magazine. He subsequently launched a very simple site called ERE2000 in 2000.
As of today, Leat continues to edit online form of ERE alongside a consortium of members.
Stadium
Bath play at the Recreation GroundRecreation Ground (Bath)
The Recreation Ground is a large open space in the centre of Bath, England, next to the River Avon, used for recreational purposes by Bath residents and the public generally....
, also known as "The Rec". The stadium is in the centre of the city, next to the River Avon. For the 2009–10 season the ground capacity was expanded to 11,700, and Bath play all of their home matches there during the club season. During summer, the ground is adjusted to make it capable for holding cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
matches. This cricket pitch is used for local contests and by the Somerset County Cricket Club
Somerset County Cricket Club
Somerset County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Somerset...
for one match a year.
Development of the Rec
In November 2009 the new chief executive, Nick Blofeld, stated the club is now seeking a mostly seated stadium for 20,000 to suit modern professional rugby, with potential for future expansion, containing "restaurants and cafés, hospitality suites, conference facilities and good food and beverage outlets and other potential retail outlets." Because of the charitable status and sensitive central location of the Rec the club think it may not be practical to develop this ground. The club is considering other sites within Bath, especially the Western Riverside Development, for a future ground.Club honours
- Courage League / Zurich PremiershipGuinness PremiershipThe English Premiership, also currently known as the Aviva Premiership because of the league's sponsorship by Aviva, is a professional league competition for rugby union football clubs in the top division of the English rugby system. There are twelve clubs in the Premiership...
- Winners (6) 1988/89, 1990/91, 1991/92, 1992/93, 1993/94, 1995/96.
- John Player Cup / Pilkington Cup
- Winners (10) 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996.
- Heineken CupHeineken CupThe Heineken Cup is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the six International Rugby Board countries in Europe whose national teams compete in the Six Nations Championship: England, France, Ireland,...
- Winners (1) 1997/1998
- European Challenge CupEuropean Challenge CupThe European Challenge Cup, currently known for sponsorship reasons as the Amlin Challenge Cup, is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup. The cup was known as the Parker Pen Shield from 2001 to 2003 and Parker Pen Challenge Cup from 2003 to 2005. The European...
- Winners (1) 2008
Current squad
Academy Squad
Current England Elite Squad
Matt BanahanMatt Banahan
Matthew Andrew Banahan is a Jerseyman who plays rugby union for Bath in the Aviva Premiership and England in international rugby union...
Lee Mears
Lee Mears
Lee Mears is an English rugby union footballer, who plays hooker at Bath.-Early years:Mears first started playing rugby for the Torquay Athletic mini team. Then after playing at Paignton College, he went to Colston's School and came under the guidance of Andy Robinson and Alan Martinovic. He has...
Lewis Moody
Lewis Moody
Lewis Walton Moody MBE is an English rugby union rugby player who currently plays for Bath Rugby and was part of the 2003 World Cup winning side. He is renowned for his commitment to the physical aspects of the game....
David Wilson
Internationally Capped Players
Nick AbendanonNick Abendanon
Nick Abendanon is an English rugby union player, currently playing for Bath Rugby in the Guinness Premiership. Full-back Abendanon burst onto the scene during the 2006–07 season, scoring 10 tries in 24 first-team appearances for Bath.His form that season earned him a first England cap in South...
Dave Attwood
Dave Attwood
Dave Attwood is a rugby union player who plays at Lock for Bath Rugby in the Aviva Premiership.-Early career:...
Matt Banahan
Matt Banahan
Matthew Andrew Banahan is a Jerseyman who plays rugby union for Bath in the Aviva Premiership and England in international rugby union...
Olly Barkley
Olly Barkley
Oliver John Barkley is an English rugby union player who plays at fly-half or centre for Bath and England. Uniquely, Barkley played for his country before making his full senior club début.-Early career:...
Duncan Bell
Duncan Bell
Duncan Stuart Crampton Bell is an English rugby union player currently playing for Bath Rugby in the Aviva Premiership at the position of prop. Educated at Colston's Collegiate School, Bristol, he is an England international with five caps.Born in Norfolk, Bell was raised in the South...
David Flatman
David Flatman
David Luke Flatman or 'Flats' is a prop for Bath and the England national rugby union team.He started playing rugby union at the age of eight at his local club, Maidstone FC, inspired by his father, who was a prop...
Lee Mears
Lee Mears
Lee Mears is an English rugby union footballer, who plays hooker at Bath.-Early years:Mears first started playing rugby for the Torquay Athletic mini team. Then after playing at Paignton College, he went to Colston's School and came under the guidance of Andy Robinson and Alan Martinovic. He has...
Lewis Moody
Lewis Moody
Lewis Walton Moody MBE is an English rugby union rugby player who currently plays for Bath Rugby and was part of the 2003 World Cup winning side. He is renowned for his commitment to the physical aspects of the game....
Ben Skirving
Ben Skirving
Ben Skirving is a rugby union footballer who plays at Number Eight for Bath and has been capped for the England national side...
Sam Vesty
Sam Vesty
Samuel Brook Vesty is an English rugby union footballer who plays utility back for Bath Rugby.Vesty is the fourth generation of his family to play for the Tigers...
David Wilson Jack Cuthbert
Jack Cuthbert
Jack Cuthbert is a rugby union player for Bath in the Aviva Premiership. He plays as a winger/fullback or outside centre, although has won most of his 1st class appearances at fullback. Whilst still a member of the Bath academy, he has shown himself to be a promising player, and is a strong and...
Simon Taylor Michael Claassens
Michael Claassens
Michael Claassens is a South African rugby union player for Bath Rugby in the English Aviva Premiership.Claassens previously played for the Free State Cheetahs and the Springboks, and plays as a scrum-half....
Francois Louw
Francois Louw
Francois Louw is a South African rugby union international who plays as a flanker. Louw is the grandson of the former South African international Jan Pickard....
Stephen Donald
Stephen Donald
Stephen Donald is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays at First five-eighth or Second five-eighth. Despite an international career that had not lived up to expectations, Donald, aka 'The Beaver', kicked the winning penalty in the IRB Rugby World Cup 2011 for New Zealand...
Anthony Perenise
Anthony Perenise
Anthony Perenise is a rugby union player who plays at prop for Bath Rugby in the English Aviva Premiership.Perenise previously played for the Hawke's Bay Magpies and the Samoa.-External links:...
Chris Biller
Chris Biller
Chris Biller is an American rugby union player who is currently on a short term contract with Bath Rugby....
Players In
Dave AttwoodDave Attwood
Dave Attwood is a rugby union player who plays at Lock for Bath Rugby in the Aviva Premiership.-Early career:...
(from
Gloucester) Charlie BeechCharlie Beech
Charlie Beech is a rugby union player for Bath in the Aviva Premiership after signing from London Wasps in the Summer of 2011. He plays as a prop.Beech represented England at the U19 World Championship in 2006...
(from
London WaspsLondon Wasps
London Wasps is an English professional rugby union team. The men's first team, which forms London Wasps, was derived from Wasps Football Club who were formed in 1867 at the now defunct Eton and Middlesex Tavern in North London, at the turn of professionalism in 1999...
) Kyle Eastmond
Kyle Eastmond
Kyle Eastmond is a professional rugby union footballer who currently plays for Bath, and has played for St. Helens in Super League and internationally for England. Eastmond has been compared to Australian international Scott Prince, because of his darting runs to the line and a good kicking game....
(from
St Helens) Carl FearnsCarl Fearns
Carl Fearns is a rugby union player for Bath Rugby in the Aviva Premiership. He plays as a back-row.Fearns made his Sale debut in an EDF Energy Cup match against Cardiff Blues, winning the Man of the Match award....
(from
Sale SharksSale Sharks
Sale Sharks are a professional rugby union club who play in England in the Aviva Premiership.The club is an offshoot of Sale FC, which is based at Heywood Road in Sale, Greater Manchester, but Sharks currently play in Stockport at Edgeley Park, ground sharing with Stockport County F.C.Part of the...
) Dan Hipkiss
Dan Hipkiss
Daniel James Hipkiss is a professional Rugby Union player who currently plays at Centre for Bath Rugby. Hipkiss has represented England at U16, U17, U18, U21 and England A. His full England début came versus Wales in a World Cup warm up match at Twickenham on 4 August 2007.He went to school at...
(from
Leicester TigersLeicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers is an English rugby union club that plays in the Aviva Premiership.Leicester are the most successful English club since the introduction of league rugby in 1987, a record 9 times English champions - 3 more than either Bath or Wasps, the last of which was in 2010...
) Ryan Caldwell
Ryan Caldwell
Ryan Caldwell is an Irish rugby union footballer. He plays for Bath after signing from Ulster in the Summer of 2011. Caldwell joined Ulster on a development contract in 2003 following a successful spell in the province's academy...
(from Ulster
Ulster Rugby
Ulster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Ulster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Belfast, representing the Irish province of Ulster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup...
) Stephen Donald
Stephen Donald
Stephen Donald is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays at First five-eighth or Second five-eighth. Despite an international career that had not lived up to expectations, Donald, aka 'The Beaver', kicked the winning penalty in the IRB Rugby World Cup 2011 for New Zealand...
(from
WaikatoWaikato Rugby Union
The Waikato Rugby Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the Waikato area in the North Island of New Zealand. Its senior representative team competes in the ITM Cup , and won the inaugural Air New Zealand Cup in 2006.Waikato Rugby Union was founded in 1921...
) Anthony Perenise
Anthony Perenise
Anthony Perenise is a rugby union player who plays at prop for Bath Rugby in the English Aviva Premiership.Perenise previously played for the Hawke's Bay Magpies and the Samoa.-External links:...
(from
Hawke's BayHawke's Bay Rugby Union
The Hawke's Bay Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in the Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand. The union is based in Napier.-Representative rugby:...
) Francois Louw
Francois Louw
Francois Louw is a South African rugby union international who plays as a flanker. Louw is the grandson of the former South African international Jan Pickard....
(from
Western ProvinceWestern Province (rugby team)
DHL Western Province is a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament. The team has won the Currie Cup on 32 occasions and has the most supporters of any Currie Cup team...
) Chris Biller
Chris Biller
Chris Biller is an American rugby union player who is currently on a short term contract with Bath Rugby....
(from
San Francisco Golden Gate RFCSan Francisco Golden Gate RFC
San Francisco Golden Gate Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in San Francisco, California. SFGG's first side competes in the Rugby Super League. The club also fields a developmental squad in the Northern California Rugby Football Union's Division II. The SFGG Youth Program includes...
)
Players Out
Ignacio Fernández LobbeIgnacio Fernández Lobbe
Carlos Ignacio Fernández Lobbe is an Argentine rugby union footballer. He currently plays with English side, Bath Rugby in the Aviva Premiership...
- Retiring David Barnes - Retiring Danny Grewcock
Danny Grewcock
Daniel Jonathan Grewcock MBE is a retired English rugby union rugby lock who played for Bath, England and the British and Irish Lions...
- Retiring Shontayne Hape
Shontayne Hape
Shontayne Hape is a New Zealand-born rugby footballer, a dual-code rugby international. He plays rugby union at centre for London Irish and England. He has also previously played rugby league for the Bradford Bulls in Super League and New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League...
(to
London IrishLondon Irish
London Irish RFC is an English rugby union club based in Sunbury, Surrey, where the senior squad train, the youth teams and senior academy play home games, and the club maintain their administrative offices. The senior squad play home games at the Madejski Stadium in Reading and compete in the top...
) Aaron Jarvis
Aaron Jarvis
Aaron Jarvis is a rugby union player previously playing for Bath Rugby in the Aviva Premiership, playing predominantly as a prop. In February 2011, it was revealed that he had signed to the Ospreys for the 2011/12 season.-References:Ospreys capture Bath prop Jarvis -External links:*...
(to
Ospreys) Peter Short (to Exeter ChiefsExeter Chiefs
Exeter Rugby Club are a rugby union club based in Exeter, Devon.The Exeter club was formed around 1871 and played its first match in 1873. The first team has been rebranded as the Exeter Chiefs and play in a strip of Black , White ....
) Jacques Boussuge
Jacques Boussuge
Jacques Boussuge is a French rugby union and rugby sevens player. He is 1.87m tall and 87 kg.On 6 September 2010 it was confirmed that Boussuge will join Bath Rugby on a one-year deal....
(to
BriveCA Brive
Club Athlétique Brive Corrèze Limousin is a French rugby union team founded in 1910 and based in Brive-la-Gaillarde in the département of Corrèze of the Limousin région . They wear black and white and play in the Stade Amédée-Domenech .- History :The club was created on 15 March 1910 established on...
) Butch James
Butch James
Andrew David "Butch" James is a South African rugby union player. He has represented 40 times and was a member of the team that won the 2007 Rugby World Cup. He also played for Bath Rugby in the Aviva Premiership...
(to
LionsGolden Lions
The Golden Lions is a provincial rugby team based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The team was originally known as Transvaal, before changes to the political landscape in South Africa forced a name change to the Gauteng Lions, before again being changed to the Golden Lions. For sponsorship reason...
) Luke Watson
Luke Watson
Luke Asher Watson is a South African rugby union footballer who can play at flank or eighthman. He has represented and captained the South African Schools rugby team , South Africa's under-19 and under-21 teams, as well as the Springbok Sevens team...
(to
Southern KingsSouthern Kings
The Southern Kings are a South African rugby union franchise. The franchise was formally announced at the opening of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on 16 June 2009, in time to coincide with the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa....
) John van der Giessen
John van der Giessen
John Van Der Giessen is an American rugby union player. He plays lock for the USA Eagle XV side. He was selected to tour with the USA Eagles squad for the Autumn 2010 tour of Europe. Van Der Giessen plays his club rugby for Bath Rugby.-Career:Van der Giessen's debut for his country was in 2008...
(to
Utah Warriors) Coaching staff
- Head Coach: Steve MeehanSteve MeehanStephen Meehan , is a rugby union coach, currently in charge of Bath Rugby.He began his coaching career in Queensland in 1999, working variously as Queensland Reds Under 19 Selector, Brisbane Head Coach, Combined States Under 19 Backs Coach, and Head Coach of Brisbane Cyclone when they became East...
- Director of Rugby : Ian McGeechanIan McGeechanSir Ian Robert McGeechan OBE is a Scottish former rugby union player and coach. His nickname is "Geech".-Playing career:...
- Defence and Skills Coach: Brad DavisBrad Davis (rugby)Brad Davis is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer, and current rugby union coach. At club level he played for Nottingham City, Huddersfield, York Wasps, Castleford Tigers , Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, and Villeneuve Leopards, usually at /, /, or , i.e. number 6, 7, or 9...
- Forwards Coach: Martin HaagMartin HaagMartin Haag was an English rugby union player who principally played for Bath Rugby and was capped twice by England...
- Performance Analyst: David Reed
- Head of Strength and Conditioning: Paul Bunce
- Team Manager: Dave Guyan
- Team Assistant: Ed Williams
- Strength and Conditioning: Paul March
- Director of Rugby : Ian McGeechan
Notable former players
| Federico Méndez Federico Mendez Federico Mendez , also known as Freddie Mendez is an Argentine rugby union footballer.Méndez played professional rugby in South Africa, England and France... Germán Llanes Ignacio Fernández Lobbe Ignacio Fernández Lobbe Carlos Ignacio Fernández Lobbe is an Argentine rugby union footballer. He currently plays with English side, Bath Rugby in the Aviva Premiership... Shaun Berne Shaun Berne Shaun Berne born 8 January 1979 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia is a rugby union player for Leinster Rugby in the Magners League.Berne joined Leinster Rugby from Bath where he enjoyed two successful spells . In total he made 119 appearances for Bath in all competitions , including 27 European... Justin Harrison Justin Harrison Justin Harrison, born 20 April 1974 in Sydney, is a former Australian international rugby union player, who played lock forward as is currently forwards coach for Brumbies.-Career:... Chris Malone Chris Malone Christopher "Chris" Malone is an Australian rugby union footballer. A fly-half, he is currently playing for London Irish in England's Guinness Premiership. Before signing for London Irish from Harlequins, Malone played for Bath Rugby, Bristol Rugby, Exeter Chiefs, Sydney University and Manly... Hugh Perrett Julian Salvi Julian Salvi Julian Salvi , is an Australian rugby union player. He currently plays for Leicester Tigers.- Rugby career :Salvi returned to the Brumbies after a one-year sabbatical with English Premiership club, Bath... Adedayo Adebayo Adedayo Adebayo Adedayo Adeyemi Adebayo is a rugby union footballer, who played on the wing for England 8 times between 1996 and 1998. He played club rugby for Bath and Parma and then went on to coach the Scottish based sevens side, .He made his international debut on 23 November 1996 against Italy, a match... Iain Balshaw Iain Balshaw Iain Robert Balshaw, MBE is a rugby footballer who plays on the wing or at full back for Biarritz.-Early life:... David Barnes Stuart Barnes Stuart Barnes Stuart Barnes is a former English rugby union footballer, and now rugby commentator for Sky Sports. Barnes played fly-half for Newport RFC, Bristol, Bath; and represented England and the British Lions at international level.-Biography:Born in Essex, Barnes was educated at Rougemont and Bassaleg... Scott Bemand Scott Bemand Scott Bemand is a retired English rugby union player. He formerly played for Harlequins, Leicester Tigers and Bath.He was a member of the England squad that toured Australia in 2006.... Lee Best Peter Blackett Steve Borthwick Steve Borthwick Stephen William "Steve" Borthwick is an English rugby union footballer who plays lock for Saracens F.C.... Chris Brooker Chris Brooker Chris Brooker is an English rugby union player, currently playing for Harlequins in the Aviva Premiership.Brooker's position of choice is as a hooker. He can also operate as a prop.He has previously played for Bath.... Freddie Burns Freddie Burns Freddie Burns is a fly-half for Gloucester Rugby and occasional fullback.Freddie has represented England at under 20 level and played in the 2010 IRB Junior World Championship in Argentina in 2010.Burns is a former pupil of Beechen Cliff School in Bath.... Jon Callard Jon Callard Jonathan Edward Brooks Callard is a coach at the Rugby Football Union's National Academy. He formerly played rugby union at fullback for Bath and England. He is the brother of ex-Newport RFC player Nigel Callard.... Mike Catt Mike Catt Michael John "Mike" Catt OBE is a South African-born former English rugby union footballer who played for London Irish and Bath. He earned 75 international caps for England and played in three World Cup Finals, in 1995, 2003 and 2007... Gareth Chilcott Gareth Chilcott Gareth James Chilcott is a former rugby union player, who played at prop for Bath and England.He made his England debut against Australia in 1984... Ben Clarke Ben Clarke Ben Clarke , is a former England international rugby union player.Clarke played for Bath Rugby from 1992 to 1996, before joining Richmond F.C. as the first £1-million player... Alex Crockett Alex Crockett Alex Crockett is an English rugby union player. Crockett plays as a Centre.-Bath Rugby:Crockett started his professional career at Bath.... Sam Cox Darren Crompton Darren Crompton Darren Crompton is a professional rugby union player for Bristol Rugby. He has played for Richmond, Bath, Cardiff Blues and represented England at many levels. He also has a judo black belt, winning a national gold medal at 13.... Graham Dawe Graham Dawe Richard Graham Reed Dawe is a former English rugby union footballer and the former coach of Plymouth Albion.He played for Bath Rugby, Sale Sharks, Plymouth Albion and Launceston RFC.... Spencer Davey Spencer Davey Spencer Davey is a rugby union player for the Newcastle Falcons in the Guinness Premiership. He plays as a centre.-External links:*... Ryan Davis David Egerton David Egerton David Egerton is a former a rugby union international who represented England from 1988 to 1990.-Rugby union career:Egerton made his international debut on Apr 23, 1988 at Lansdowne Road in the Ireland vs England match.... Joe El-Abd Joe El-Abd Joe El-Abd is a rugby union player. He currently plays for Toulon in the French Top 14.El-Abd began playing rugby at Hove RFC and at the University of Bath, and after an unsuccessful spell with Bath Rugby, he joined Caerphilly RFC and later Bristol Rugby in 2003, where he has spent the best part... Jim Fallon Danny Grewcock Danny Grewcock Daniel Jonathan Grewcock MBE is a retired English rugby union rugby lock who played for Bath, England and the British and Irish Lions... Andy Gomarsall Andy Gomarsall Andrew Charles Thomas Gomarsall MBE is a rugby union player who plays at scrum-half for Leeds Carnegie and England.He previously played for Gloucester Rugby, Bedford and Wasps... Phil de Glanville Phil de Glanville Philip Ranulph de Glanville is a former English rugby union player who played at centre for Bath and England.-Rugby career:... Chris Goodman Chris Goodman Chris Goodman is a rugby union player for Bedford Blues in the Guinness Championship.Chris attended King Edward's School, Bath until the age of 18, and was 1st XV captain as No. 8... Danny Grewcock Danny Grewcock Daniel Jonathan Grewcock MBE is a retired English rugby union rugby lock who played for Bath, England and the British and Irish Lions... Jeremy Guscott Jeremy Guscott Jeremy Clayton Guscott is a former rugby union outside centre who played for Bath, England and the British and Irish Lions. On rare occasions, he has also appeared for England on the wing.... Martin Haag Martin Haag Martin Haag was an English rugby union player who principally played for Bath Rugby and was capped twice by England... Jon Hall Phil Hall Simon Halliday Simon Halliday Simon John Halliday is a former English rugby union international. He also played nine first-class cricket cricket matches... Shontayne Hape Shontayne Hape Shontayne Hape is a New Zealand-born rugby footballer, a dual-code rugby international. He plays rugby union at centre for London Irish and England. He has also previously played rugby league for the Bradford Bulls in Super League and New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League... Rob Hawkins Rob Hawkins Rob Hawkins is a rugby union player for Leicester Tigers in the Aviva Premiership.Hawkins' position of choice is as a hooker. Hawkins represented England at Under 21 level.-Club career:... Andrew Higgins Andrew Higgins Andrew Jackson Higgins was the founder and owner of Higgins Industries, the New Orleans-based manufacturer of "Higgins boats" during World War II. General Dwight Eisenhower is quoted as saying, "Andrew Higgins ... is the man who won the war for us. ..... Richard Hill Richard Hill (scrum-half) Richard Hill , is rugby union coach and former English international rugby footballer.-Biography:Born in Birmingham, Hill was educated at Bishop Wordsworth's Grammar School in Salisbury, and Exeter University... |
John Horton James Hudson James Hudson (rugby player) James Hudson is a rugby union player for Newcastle Falcons in the Aviva Premiership.He was educated at Solihull School, where he gained 1st XV stripes as a lock.... Aaron Jarvis Aaron Jarvis Aaron Jarvis is a rugby union player previously playing for Bath Rugby in the Aviva Premiership, playing predominantly as a prop. In February 2011, it was revealed that he had signed to the Ospreys for the 2011/12 season.-References:Ospreys capture Bath prop Jarvis -External links:*... Richard Lee Michael Lipman Michael Lipman Michael Lipman is an English rugby union footballer, who plays at Flanker, and is contracted to the Melbourne Rebels.Lipman has also played at International level for England.-Early career in Australia:... Audley Lumsden Chris Martin John Morrison Steve Ojomoh Steve Ojomoh Stephen Oziegebe Ojomoh, known as Steve Ojomoh , is a Nigerian-born English former rugby union footballer and a current coach. He played as a flanker.... Laurence Ovens John Palmer Henry Paul Henry Paul Henry Paul , is a dual code rugby international. Paul has previously represented New Zealand in rugby league and England in rugby union XV's and 7's. He currently holds the world record for the most consecutive kicks on the field.Paul's usual position is loose forward/Lock. He can also operate in... Matt Perry Matt Perry (rugby player) Matthew Brendan Perry was an English rugby union rugby player who played full back for Bath. He played internationally for England and the British and Irish Lions.-Biography:... Nigel Redman Nigel Redman Nigel Redman born 16th August 1964 in Cardiff is a retired England International rugby union lock.He made his England debut in November 1984 v Australia at Twickenham losing 19-3. He made his final appearance in July 1997 again v Australia but this time in Sydney but again losing 25-6. In total he... Mark Regan Mark Regan Mark 'Ronnie' Regan MBE is an English rugby union player. He has played as a hooker for Bristol, Bath, Leeds Tykes as well as England and the British Lions.-Career:... Clive Book Simon Jones Andy Robinson Andy Robinson Richard Andrew 'Andy' Robinson OBE is an English rugby union coach and retired player. He is currently the head coach of Scotland.Robinson played as an openside flanker for Bath, England and the British and Irish Lions... Jason Robinson Jason Robinson Jason Thorpe Robinson OBE is an English former international rugby union and rugby league player of the 1990s and 2000s. Playing at wing or fullback, he won fifty-one rugby union international test caps in total for England, and in rugby league he won twelve caps for Great Britain and seven for... Fred Sagoe Paul Sampson Roger Spurrell Micheal Stephenson Matt Stevens Tony Swift Mike Tindall Mike Tindall Michael James Tindall, MBE is an English rugby player who plays outside centre for Gloucester Rugby and has captained the England team... Barry Trevaskis David Trick David Trick David Trick is a former Ontario civil servant and university administrator.Trick’s career in the Ontario Public Service included Assistant Deputy Minister-level positions in Postsecondary Education and Finance. He also worked in the fields of intergovernmental affairs, economic development, labour... Victor Ubogu Victor Ubogu Victor Eriakpo Ubogu is a former Bath and England rugby union player. He also played, whilst still at university, for Moseley.... Adam Vander Tom Voyce Tom Voyce Thomas Michael Dunstan Voyce is an English rugby union footballer who plays at wing or fullback for Gloucester and England.-Biography:... Nick Walshe Nick Walshe Nicholas Patrick James Walshe is a rugby union footballer who plays at scrum-half for Bedford Blues and England.Walshe moved from Saracens to Sale Sharks in 2002... Jonathan Webb Jonathan Webb Jonathan Mark Webb is a former English rugby union footballer who represented England in 33 Test matches. He played for two clubs, first Bristol and then Bath where he played mainly at fullback. His career representing England lasted between 1987 and 1993, and he scored a total of 296 points for... Martyn Wood Martyn Wood Martyn Benjamin Wood is a former England international rugby union player.-External links:*... Nicky Little Nicky Little Nicky Tyrone Little in Tokoroa, New Zealand, is a rugby union footballer. He plays at fly-half. He is a nephew of All Blacks centre Walter Little, but represents Fiji at international level.-Career:... David Bory David Bory David Bory is a retired French international rugby union player.He spent most of his career playing for the Clermont and moved to the Castres Olympique in the French Top 14 club competition in 2004.... Jacques Boussuge Jacques Boussuge Jacques Boussuge is a French rugby union and rugby sevens player. He is 1.87m tall and 87 kg.On 6 September 2010 it was confirmed that Boussuge will join Bath Rugby on a one-year deal.... Alessio Galasso Alessio Galasso Alessio Galasso is a French rugby player.Galasso was born in Dakar, Senegal. He played for Toulon, Montferrand, Bath Rugby, Castres and SU Agen at prop... Daniel Browne Daniel Browne Daniel Browne is a rugby union player for Leeds Carnegie in the Guinness Premiership. He joined the club in June 2010 on a 2 year contract. He previously played for Bath for 3 seasons, and Grenoble in France.... Andy Dunne Kevin Maggs Kevin Maggs Kevin Michael Maggs is a former Irish rugby union Centre, he is currently player/coach with Moseley, he previously played for Bristol, Bath, Ulster and Rotherham Titans.... Ramiro Pez Ramiro Pez Ramiro Pez is an Italian Argentine rugby union footballer who normally plays at fly-half. In 2008-09, he joined the newly promoted French Top 14 club Toulon, having been signed from Venezia Mestre in the Italian Super 10 competition.He made his international debut with the Italian national team on... Pietro Travagli Pietro Travagli Pietro Travagli is a rugby union player for Petrarca in the Super 10 competition.Pietro Travagli's position of choice is as a Scrum-half.He was called up to the Italy squad for the 2008 Six Nations Championship.... Joe Maddock Jon Preston |
Paulică Ion Paulica Ion Paulică Ion is a Romanian rugby union footballer. A tighthead prop, He started his career with CSA Steaua Bucureşti, before moving to Bath in 2007 and currently plays for London Irish. As of 2008, he has played 22 games for the Romanian national team, scoring a try... Jonny Fa'amatuainu Isaac Feau'nati Isaac Feau'nati Isaac "Zac" Feau'nati is a former rugby union player for Bath Rugby in the Guinness Premiership. Feau'nati's played as a number eight.-Career:... Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu Elvis Seveali'i Elvis Seveali'i Elvis Seveali'i is a Samoan rugby union footballer. He plays centre and wing for Premiership side London Irish and Manu Samoa internationally. He has previously represented Wellington in the under-19s and under-21s as well as the National Provincial Championship team... Ross Blake Damian Cronin Damian Cronin Damian Cronin is a former Scotland rugby union rugby player who represented London Scottish FC. He is an alumnus of Prior Park College.Playing in the second row, he was part of the Grand Slam winning side in 1990... Mike Baxter Simon Danielli Simon Danielli Simon Charles Jonathan Danielli is a professional rugby union player who plays on the wing for Ulster and Scotland.-Early life:... Dave Hilton Dave Hilton (rugby player) Dave Hilton born 3 April 1970 in Bristol, England is a former rugby union player for Bath Rugby, Glasgow Warriors and Bristol Rugby whose position of choice is as a prop. He gained his first cap for the Scotland national rugby union team against Canada on January 21, 1991 and his 42nd and final cap... Andy Nicol Andy Nicol Andrew Douglas Nicol , is a former rugby union player and the first British player to lift the Heineken Cup as captain of Bath Rugby... Eric Peters Eric Peters Eric Peters was an amateur and professional rugby union player, usually playing at No8, who rose to captain the Scotland national rugby union team.-Early life:... Andy Reed Andy Reed (rugby player) Andy Reed is a former Cornish rugby union player who played lock for Bodmin RFC, Camborne RFC, Bath Rugby, London Wasps and represented Scotland 18 times at international level between 1993 to 1999... David Sole David Sole David Sole is a former Scottish rugby union footballer. He was educated at Blairmore prep school and Glenalmond College, a private school in Perthshire.... Robbie Kydd Robbie Kydd Robbie Kydd is a rugby union footballer who plays at centre for Rugby Calvisano.Versatile back Robbie Kydd was one of Budge Pountney's earliest signings for Northampton Saints but the club were forced out of the deal when Robbie suffered what could have been a career-ending knee injury in training... Robbie Fleck Robbie Fleck Robert Frank Fleck better known as Robbie is a former rugby union footballer who played at centre for South Africa.... Wylie Human Wylie Human Wylie Human is a South African rugby union winger. He has played for several Super 14 teams including the Stormers, the Sharks and the Lions. He has also played for Bath and Northampton Saints, and is currently plying his trade with French second division side FC Grenoble.-External links:* *... Butch James Butch James Andrew David "Butch" James is a South African rugby union player. He has represented 40 times and was a member of the team that won the 2007 Rugby World Cup. He also played for Bath Rugby in the Aviva Premiership... Henrich Kok Hottie Louw Hentie Martens Frikkie Welsh Frikkie Welsh Frikkie Welsh is a South African rugby union footballer. He currently represents the Super 14 side Stormers, having previously played for the Bulls.- External links :**... Luke Watson Luke Watson Luke Asher Watson is a South African rugby union footballer who can play at flank or eighthman. He has represented and captained the South African Schools rugby team , South Africa's under-19 and under-21 teams, as well as the Springbok Sevens team... Lorne Ward Lorne Ward Lorne Ward is a rugby union prop for London Welsh in the RFU Championship. He previously played for Harlequins, Bath & Toulon.-External links:*... Taufa'ao Filise Taufa'ao Filise Taufa'ao Filise is a Tongan rugby union footballer. A powerful prop who has played his club rugby with Bay of Plenty alongside Tonga skipper Aleki Lutui. Filise played for the Ikale Tahi in their 2001 Epson Cup campaign and on the tour to Scotland and Wales later that year. He had his first match... Salesi Finau Salesi Finau Salesi Finau is a Tongan former rugby footballer. He represented Tonga in both the rugby league and rugby union sides.-Rugby league career:... Dan Lyle Dan Lyle Daniel Joseph Lyle is an American rugby union footballer. A 1992 graduate of Virginia Military Institute, he took up rugby union aged 23 in an attempt to keep fit. He had been invited to train with American football team Minnesota Vikings and had a trial with the Washington Redskins... John van der Giessen John van der Giessen John Van Der Giessen is an American rugby union player. He plays lock for the USA Eagle XV side. He was selected to tour with the USA Eagles squad for the Autumn 2010 tour of Europe. Van Der Giessen plays his club rugby for Bath Rugby.-Career:Van der Giessen's debut for his country was in 2008... Gareth Cooper Gareth Cooper Gareth Cooper is a former Wales international rugby union player who plays at scrum-half for the Cardiff Blues. He is renowned for his darting breaks from rucks.-Career:... Iestyn Lewis Andrew Thomas Gareth Delve Gareth Delve Gareth Leon Delve is a Wales international rugby union player. In 2010 he captained Gloucester in the English Guinness Premiership, before moving to Australia where he became vice captain of the Melbourne Rebels. His usual position is number 8... Andy Lloyd Ieuan Evans Ieuan Evans Ieuan Evans is a former rugby union footballer who played on the wing for Wales. He is regarded as one of the best Welsh wingers of all time, despite playing through a disappointing era of Welsh rugby. A prolific try scorer at International level, Evans is listed 19th in the world on the all-time... Jonathan Humphreys Jonathan Humphreys Jonathan Matthews Humphreys is a former international Wales rugby union player who during his career also captained Wales. A hooker, he played his club rugby for Cardiff and Bath and was in the Wales squad during the 1995 Rugby World Cup and 1999 Rugby World Cup.-Notes:... Gavin Thomas Gavin Thomas Gavin Michael Thomas is a Wales international rugby union flanker, who has been capped more than 20 times for Wales. He plays his club rugby for Newport Gwent Dragons, who he joined in 2009.... Richard Webster Tom Cheeseman Tom Cheeseman Tom Cheeseman is a Welsh rugby union footballer currently playing for Esher. He is a former Wales Under 19 international. In September 2010 Cheeseman joined Newport Gwent Dragons from Bath on loan until the end of the 2010–11 season... Andy Williams Andy Williams (rugby player) Andy Williams , is a Welsh international rugby union player. A scrum half, he has attained 5 caps for the Wales national rugby union team.... |