Bath
Last year: 3rd
Title odds: 8/1
Opening fixture: away v Bristol, Sunday 7th September
They were the side that many thought played the best rugby last year, but what of Bath this year? Alex Mead asked Steve Meehan and Michael Lipman...
Last season, bit of a let down on the league front?
SM: Yeah I think so, that’s fair to say. That’s our motivation for the squad for this year now because we were all disappointed with the way we finished the league. Having said that we made quite a lot of progress from the season before…
How do you change play-off luck though, Gloucester haven’t managed it yet…
SM: It’s a question of developing a mentality that will separate you as a side – turn you into a side that wins those play-off games. We’ve learnt from last year and if we get there again we want to make a better fist of it.
You’ve had a couple of key departures since last term though…
SM: There’s a different feel to the place and the players we’ve brought in have brought in a different dynamic and a lot of experience with them – that’s a good thing. We’ve got to evolve as a side and we’re happy with where we’re at.
Even so, Borthwick must leave a big hole?
SM: We’ve brought in a guy like Justin Harrison though and he brings an enormous amount of experience and knowledge. And we’ve got others there too, it’s not as if we’re a one-man team. We’ve got a lot of players who provide a lot of insight into our game and the opposition. We’re pretty comfortable with everything that’s happened.
Has the new England elite squad thing had an impact?
SM: Well you know the games they’re going to be away for and you also know that if you’ve got guys who are spending time on the bench for matches between the Test matches then they’re going to get game time.
How important was it to finally win a cup last year?
ML: Mentally it was very important, the previous four years we’d been in finals and lost them. There was pressure with the crowd for not having won any silverware for ten years so it was very rewarding and good for our confidence too. Leading up to future finals, it’s good to know you’ve not got that pressure with you. It means you can just concentrate on the rugby…
Are you really confident that this season’s squad is stronger than last year’s?
ML: I think the signings we’ve made are really positive, the group we had last year is still a tight knit unit this year and very competitive too.
SM: One of the areas we’re stronger in is due to the fact we’ve got Bell, Barnes, Flatman and Stevens all fit and training through the pre-season and all ready to go. We’ve certainly got a headstart up front because we don’t have to play catch-up. They’ve shed some weight, they’re use to running more – in fact these friendlies we’ve been having are only the second or third time we’ve had those four to pick from in the last couple of seasons.
As a squad we’re better prepared.
Did you get every player you were after in the market?
SM: I think we’re pretty happy with where we’re at. And the recent contract extension by Grewcock is good news and there will be others in the near future too.
Shontayne Hape came in and he changes the dynamic of our game. We didn’t necessarily replace like with like. We just looked at where could provide significant challenges to the opposition…
So what does Hape bring?
SM: Well, he’s a big guy. He’s got good feet, good balance in his running, the ability to time a pass well – he’s a skilful guy. And, apart from that, he’s a good character, he’s a good solid bloke who enjoys being around the team. Everything he’s brought to us has been positive, there hasn’t been a negative, he’s not a prima donna in any sense. So far, it’s been a joy to work with him.
How’s he found the transition from league to union?
SM: He played against Redruth for the United side and looked comfortable. He played union until 16 so he’s not a novice. He’s quite an exciting prospect.
And what happened with Chev Walker didn’t put you off signing a league player?
SM: No.
Oh.
Could it be said you exceeded expectations last year?
ML: I don’t think so, in the Premiership I thought we could’ve done a lot better – we underachieved. We didn’t over-achieve at all, it depends where you set your standards. If you set your sights at mid-table and end up pleased with fourth what kind of championship team does that make you? Nobody does that, you have to set your standards high. So, yeah, if anything we underachieved.
Only the title will do then?
ML: Yeah, everyone’s got to be like that. Our standards are very high at this club and they’ll continue to be like that.
TRANSFERS
In
Stuart Hooper (Leeds), Shontayne Hape (Bradford Bulls), Scott Bemand (Leicester Tigers), Justin Harrison (Ulster), Robbie Kydd (Northampton Saints), Scott Hobson (Cornish Pirates), Rhys Crane (unattached)
Out
Steve Borthwick (Saracens), Olly Barkley (Gloucester), Rob Fidler (Cinderford), Nick Walshe (Bedford Blues), Lorne Ward (Toulon), Zak Feunati (retired), Martin Purdy (North Harbour), Mike Myerscough (Launceston), George Hughes (Doncaster Knights), Ian Davey (Bedford Blues).
Michael Lipman image by Ros Holder