Bath
IN.ALL IN. ALL THE TIME. THE COMING SEASON
van Graan: All In
By PG Tips
August 20 2025
“In-All-In-All The Time”, Johann van Graan’s mantra was the theme of Bath’s most successful season for 29 Years. The phrase characterised the attitude of the whole squad in an unprecedented treble winning season. It also neatly captures the delighted response of Bath’s loyal fans. Now, on the brink of the 2026 season, with last year’s squad reinforced with stardust, can they look forward to repeat success?
Bath’s fans have known more of frustration or despair than triumph for many years. That of course made the 2025 season trophy haul all the sweeter. The faithful though should beware letting long suffering patience turn to entitled expectation. Van Graan’s message is about the full-on commitment needed to earn trophies, from the stellar marquee signing to the most novice squad member. So, imbued with the right work ethic and guided by a united and complimentary coaching team, can Bath do it again?
Every other club will of course be chasing the same spoils. Losing finalists Leicester have recruited fresh young blood for their front five, plus new fly halves- Wallaby James O’Connor and former Bath pivot Orlando Bailey. Their most significant signing though is likely to be new DOR Geoff Parling, fresh from coaching Australia’s forwards against the Lions. Expect him to fashion a team in the Tigers’ tradition, gnarly, pragmatic and aggressive. They will be out to go one better this season. So too Sale Sharks, who have only one title to their credit. Their no-nonsense defence stunned Bristol last year -a 38-0 thrashing at Ashton Gate. They will at minimum spoil somebody’s party and could be contenders themselves.
Bristol, often a bogey team for Bath, have added Louis Rees-Zammit and Scottish international Tom Jordan to an already dashing backline. If they can sustain the frenetic, sweeping attack that Pat Lam favours they will shred a few defences and reputations. They will be the sternest of challengers. Much will depend on whether they can continue to win the quick breakdown ball their style is built on. Other challengers could be Northampton who, reduced by the departure of several senior forwards and a rash of backline injuries, could not sustain their champion form of 2024. Now reinforced they will press hard. Saracens are rebuilding, as are Newcastle with newfound spending power from Red Bull, although the first season may be too soon for the Tynesiders.
So Bath will not lack for challengers, but there will be internal challenges too, plus those set by the fixture calendar. First of these is the need for a fast start. Last season Bath primed their drive for silverware with a 5 try opening day thumping of champions Northampton Saints, followed by a much-cherished away win at Welford Road. Summer tours have shortened the pre-season for 14 of Bath’s front line players, some of whom will have to miss early Premiership rounds. If, as seems likely, Finn Russell has to sit out the first two rounds, who controls the play from 10? Will it be meteoric tyro Ciaran Donoghue or the more experienced Carreras? Either is more mercurial than Russell: it will be fascinating to see how they shape the attack. Eight Bath forwards were involved in summer action: their workload will need careful management. As always, squad rotation underpinned by the ministrations of the strength and conditioning team, will be key.
So can Bath repeat their 2025 success? More next week.
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20/08/2025 13:40
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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2025:09:02:08:06:56 by P G Tips.
Changed now. The internet source I used had a NZ flag against his name!
PG
Bath have a huge target on their back. The season after is always much, much harder
Reid, for example, at the end of last season turned the semi on its head almost singlehandedly and could have been MotM in the final. What on earth is he going to achieve this year after a good rest, a full pre season and another year of growth? He's only 26! Mojo, too, given the excellent finish to the season he had, and the successful showing he had with England.
Carreras, Arundell, etc are exciting new additions, but I'm more excited about seeing if Reid and Mojo can become international class players. And it's that level – just below the top dogs but punching up – I think you need if you're going to stand a chance of winning on 3 fronts. Having said that, Harris' addition is fascinating. Such a good player, and could well be a 'glue' player that brings even more out of our attack and defence.
Goodness me, roll on September 26th!
2024/25 adoptee: Guy Pepper
[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]
This year you would hope will see the likes of O'Donoghue and Harris pushing on.
Big Season also for the likes of Kepu T, Billy Sela, Ewan Richards and Ethan Staddon.
He has looked really promising but then has always suffered a lengthy injury
I had forgotten about Chris Harris (!)......I agree with all of the words above
TDG
Arundell
Harris
Butt
Joe C
Donaghue
TCS
Obano
Dunn (C)
Sela
Roux
Richards
Hill
Reid
Barbeary
Frost
Van Wyk
Mountford?
Molony
Green/Staddon
VDL/Le Roux
Harris
Hennessy
Assumptions
Lawrence injured
Coetzee not fit?
Carreras & TDT at RC.
Finn, Spencer, Stuart, Muir, Ojomoh,Redpath, Pepper, Ewels, Griffin, Underhill, Bayliss - Summer Tourists
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:08:24:08:31:00 by tigersimon.
PG
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:08:24:09:47:25 by P G Tips.
Down the bottom I think exeter and newcastle will be much improved after good recruitment.
I expect saints to be back in the mix for top 4.
Would be surprised if we see anything like last season where we had top spot sewn up with 3 games to go was it!?
Do they have to be?
Feels like someone like griffin needs the games and we need him if tdt/stuart out and verden no longer with us.
Guess behind sela maybe summerfield next cab off rank but much more of a loosehead
Lots of change in the playing and coaching staff?
Quote:Charlieboa1
Will summer tourists all be rested?
Do they have to be?
Feels like someone like griffin needs the games and we need him if tdt/stuart out and verden no longer with us.
Guess behind sela maybe summerfield next cab off rank but much more of a loosehead
It was an assumption with Bath’s strength in Depth.
No the only players that have to be rested are Finn & Stuart, the rest will have all completed the 10 weeks ‘rest’!
Quote:tigersimonQuote:Charlieboa1
Will summer tourists all be rested?
Do they have to be?
Feels like someone like griffin needs the games and we need him if tdt/stuart out and verden no longer with us.
Guess behind sela maybe summerfield next cab off rank but much more of a loosehead
It was an assumption with Bath’s strength in Depth.
No the only players that have to be rested are Finn & Stuart, the rest will have all completed the 10 weeks ‘rest’!
Thanks Simon.
Sure several will be rested but all assessed on an individual basis.
Someone like griffin played v little rugby last season.
Quote:Charlieboa1
How do you think you will go tigersimon?
Lots of change in the playing and coaching staff?
TBH I really don’t know, a massive amount of playing experience has left the squad, can the youngsters step up?
Not overly impressed with recruitment! Montoya was World Class & irreplaceable within Prem SC IMO, Blamire is a good signing, his flight to the USA shows he is still on SBs radar!
Haffar from Saints is a good signing but have lost 2 LHs in Cronin & Whitcombe.
Moro (Argentina Back Row) looks a real prospect.
Then we had the FH saga, that could work out with JOC (when back from RC) & Bailey.
Squad depth a concern in a number of positions.
Coaching wise, Parling obviously arrived late and we have yet another Defence coach!
Having Ben Youngs, Dan Cole, Mike Brown et al around on the bench last season was so useful!
I honestly don’t see us making Top 4 this season.
Fitness of George Martin currently unknown. Ollie Chessum n/a for first two rounds and Summer Tourists in JVP, Heyes, Steward, Smith, Reffell, Hurd & Henderson.
Been on loan. Still young.
PG
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