Davis set for Exeter move

Bath fly-half Ryan Davis will join Exeter Chiefs next season after agreeing terms with the newly-promoted Guinness Premiership outfit.

Sky Sports

Lee Mears on the Weakest Link!

Follow the link below to watch Lee Mears on the Weakest Link

It's available to watch intill Saturday 5th June 2010

BBC iPlayer

David Flatman: Old-school tour but it'll be men at work in land Down Under

The first time I toured Australia with an England rugby team we had Lee Mears at hooker, Jonny Wilkinson at fly-half and Mike Tindall at centre, so presumably not much has changed. OK, so that was a schoolboy trip during which we spent our nights with local billets, not in five-star hotels, and we had no trouble staying under the radar. This one might be different.

The Independent

Podcast - David Flatman

Fast forward to 12.30mins to listen to an interview with David Flatman.

Podcast link

The good, the bad and the ugly of the 2010 rugby season

1.
Bath – for the way they rescued their season. Going into the Christmas period, Bath had won one of their opening 10 fixtures. They then lost only once, against Leicester at Welford Road, in their remaining 12 matches

2.
Unlikely hero - Danny Grewcock

Read More

Bristol's Tom Arscott to sign for Bath??

According to The Rugby Times this week we are in the race to sign Tom Arscott from Bristol. Leicester are apparently also after his signature.

Tom Arscott

Tom joined Bristol Rugby for 2007-8 from Plymouth Albion.
An England U19 international comfortable at wing or full back, he is the brother of Luke who was already at Bristol Rugby.

Tom made an immediate impression during the preseason friendly fixtures and featured frequently at first team level throughout 2007-8 scoring 9 tries in 19 starts and catching the eye of the England Saxons selectors until injury forced a late withdrawal.

This season he has played 27 games and scored 10 tries.

Sourced from Bristol Rugby

Baa-Baa Barnes relishing his return to international stage

There is something cruel about David Barnes' inclusion in the Barbarians squad that's been called up take on England at Twickenham this weekend

This Is Bath

Bath's Lee Mears: 'Shontayne Hape's time has come'

England hooker Lee Mears is backing Bath Rugby team-mate Shontayne Hape to shine when the dual-code centre makes his international union debut on Sunday.

This Is Bath

TOM BRADSHAW: Bath stars all of a Twitter

Twitter, it seems, has become Bath Rugby's unofficial means of communication for the summer months.

This Is Bath

Have your say!

With a new sweep of optimism at the Club and the mood of change in the air, we would like to include our supporters in helping to mould the future of the Club and the facilities we can offer to you.

Bath Rugby

James gets Springbok recall

Well done Butch! See you can get in the Springbok playing for Bath!!

Sky Sports report

David Flatman: Dives, dogs and dodgy tunes round off an extraordinary season at Bath

Returning home from training used to mean walking into an immaculate bachelor pad, flicking on the flatscreen TV and watching Top Gear repeats until it was time to go out for dinner with the lads. Not any more. After a few very tough days' training at Twickenham, Olly Barkley and I hit the M4 and headed west but while our destination was mutual, the lives awaiting us were very different.

The Independent

Watch Nick Abendanon GP try of the season!

Nick's GP try of the season...

Sam Vesty desperate to play regular rugby for Bath

Utility back Sam Vesty says the prospect of another season on the bench at Leicester Tigers meant the decision to join Bath was an easy one.

BBC link

Transfers in and out...

The link below will lead to a list of transfers in and out of all the Premiership clubs...interesting stuff!

Transfers

End of Season Message from Bruce Craig

To all our faithful supporters, sponsors and those privileged enough to be involved with Bath Rugby.

I would just like to conclude the season with some words of thanks and to share my enthusiasm for the future hopes and aspirations of this great Club.

Bath Rugby

Hooper out of Saxons tour

Stuart Hooper will miss the England Saxons' Churchill Cup campaign after injuring a toe in Bath Rugby's loss to Leicester Tigers on Sunday.

This is Bath

Barbarians call-up for David Barnes

Bath Rugby prop David Barnes is poised to play for the Barbarians against England next week.

This is Bath

FAN'S VIEW: Negative conclusion should not detract from a positive season

Before the defeat to Leicester Tigers, Bath fly-half Butch James was imploring his team-mates not to regard just having reached the play-offs as a reward for a successful season.

Success would be winning through to the final at Twickenham and lifting the Premiership title and trophy at HQ, he insisted.

 

Link below:

http://tiny.cc/flsez

TOM BRADSHAW: No fairytale ending to a season salvaged in stunning style

With the cuts now healing after Bath Rugby's semi-final defeat to Leicester, Nick Abendanon has probably got it about right.

 

Lionk below:

http://tiny.cc/ncyzy

Premiership final comes first for new recruit Lewis Moody

In a stroke of good fortune, the house Lewis Moody has secured for when he joins Bath Rugby is little more than a stone's throw from the club's new manorial headquarters.

 

Link below:

http://tiny.cc/iirc5

Flatman takes it on the chin after difficult day

David Flatman had a tough time in the scrum against Leicester Tigers on Sunday - and the Bath Rugby prop forward isn't afraid to admit it.

 

Link below:

http://tiny.cc/i6ovw

Boss Blofeld seeking the X-factor at Bath Rugby

Bath Rugby chief executive Nick Blofeld has wasted no time in carrying out an end-of-season review, spending yesterday morning in conversation with head coach Steve Meehan and other senior members of the club.

 

Link below:

http://tiny.cc/s28fg

Barkley delighted with comeback - video interview

Bath fly-half and centre Olly Barkley is looking forward to England's tour of Australia after making a huge impact for Bath since coming back from injury.

BBC

Bath Rugby's Jack Cuthbert gets first Scotland call

Bath Rugby's Jack Cuthbert has been selected for Scotland A's defence of the IRB Nations Cup.

This is Bath

BRTV: Bloopers Reel

No TV set exists without its share of gags and accidents, and BRTV is no exception...!

 

Link below:

http://tiny.cc/vim09

Well done Nick and Olly...

Guinness Premiership awards:

 

Try of the Season: Nick Abendanon, Bath v Leeds, 8th May 2010.

 

MBNA Community Player of the Season: Olly Barkley.

 

Full list of awards below:

http://tiny.cc/b3ud0

 

BRTV: Awards Evening Highlights!

See exclusive highlights and interviews from the annual Bath Rugby Awards Dinner!

 

Link below:

http://tiny.cc/pucvg

Tom Cheeseman to Scarlets?

Bath centre Tom Cheeseman could feature in Scarlets colours next season.

The son of former Swansea forward Trevor Cheeseman has been training at Parc y Scarlets and could be involved as part of a loan deal with the West Country club.

 

This is South Wales link:

http://tiny.cc/qe79q

Match reaction - Meehan and Cockerill

Head coach Steve Meehan was left to rue poor decision-making as Bath Rugby's dream of a Guinness Premiership final was snuffed out by a dogged Leicester Tigers.

This is Bath - Meehan
Sky Sports - Cockerill

Bath's final dream ended by the Tigers.

England fly-half Toby Flood kicked five penalties as Leicester beat Bath 15-6 at Welford Road in the Guinness Premiership semi-finals.

Sky Sports
This Is Bath
Guinness Premiership

David Flatman: We'll miss the worst-dressed man in the West but salvation is in Browne's exit

View from the front row with Bath & England prop

The Independent

Bell and Maddock need you...Try of the year awards!

Try of the Year Award 2010

The RPA are inviting you to vote for the Sunday Times Try of the Year 2010. The winner of the public vote will be announced at the prestigious RPA Computacenter Rugby Players Awards Dinner 2010, held in London later this month.

Bell and Maddock's try's one of the six nominated...



Try of the year

Video interview - Nick Blofeld on Bath's season so far

Bath chief executive Nick Blofeld tells BBC Points West about the highs and lows of his first season at the club.

BBC Video

Moody: 'I've had a great run at Leicester but at Bath we'll go from strength to strength'

As he faces the club he will join next season, Lewis Moody tells Chris Hewett why he senses an shift in the balance of power.

The Independent

Meehan is keeping it real

STEVE MEEHAN insists Leicester did not see the real Bath at Welford Road last month.

The Sun

Geech: Butch is gonna get you

IAN McGEECHAN reckons Leicester could get Butchered in the Guinness Premiership semi-final tomorrow.

The Sun

Semi-final odds...

These are the latest odds from Sky Bet:

Match result:

Leicester 4/11
Drawn Match 18/1
Bath 11/5

Sky Bet believe Leicester will win by 7, therefore the handicap betting is as follows:

-7 Leicester 10/11
Handicap Draw 16/1
+7 Bath 10/11

There is also some specials available this weekend, you can get these odds for the first try scorer:

Maddock 11/1
Banahan 12/1
Abendanon 14/1

More available at Sky Bet

Bath's Luke Watson in confident mood for Tigers match

Bath number eight Luke Watson says the team are in great shape for their play-off semi-final against Leicester at Welford Road on Sunday.

BBC Video link

Hape drops to bench for Bath Rugb's semi with Leicester Tigers

Bath Rugby team to face Leicester Tigers:

15. Nick Abendanon
14. Joe Maddock
13. Matt Carraro
12. Olly Barkley
11. Matt Banahan
10. Butch James
9. Michael Claassens (c)
1. David Flatman
2. Lee Mears
3. David Wilson
4. Stuart Hooper
5. Danny Grewcock
6. Andy Beattie
7. Julian Salvi
8. Luke Watson

16. Pieter Dixon
17. David Barnes
18. Duncan Bell
19. Peter Short
20. Ben Skirving
21. Mike Baxter
22. Ryan Davis
23. Shontayne Hape

 

 

Link below:

http://tiny.cc/vf85t

Meehan hopes to tame Tigers

Bath head coach Steve Meehan thinks that his side are well prepared to topple reigning champions Leicester in the Guinness Premiership semi-finals.

Link below:

http://tiny.cc/bf00l

BATH OUT TO BITE TIGERS

 Bath will aim to end Leicester's reign as Guinness Premiership champions on Sunday when the title play-offs take centre stage.

But Bath, who last won the league 14 years ago, know they must avenge the solitary blot on their Premiership landscape since Christmas.

 

Link below:

http://tiny.cc/mf252

TOM BRADSHAW: Abendanon's omission is unjust

I'm sure I'm not the only one who's been left scratching his head at the inclusion of the out-of-form, ineffectual Delon Armitage in the England squad for the tour to Australia at the expense of the in-form, intoxicatingly exciting Nick Abendanon.

 

Full report:

http://tiny.cc/b1m7n

Abendanon is players' pick as awards are handed out

Nick Abendanon was named Players' Player of the Season at the annual Bath Rugby Awards Dinner this week.

 

Link below:

http://tiny.cc/nxhz9

Jeremy Guscott tips Bath for the win!!

Leicester v Bath


I think Bath have got a much better chance of winning at Welford Road than they did when they were thrashed back in April.

When the two sides met in the Premiership regular season, Leicester ran out 43-20 winners, and the Tigers are always a good bet at home.

The difference between Sunday's game and the one back in April is that Bath have really kicked on over the past four or five weeks.

The confidence is back and they are playing some really good rugby, the forwards are off-loading and their backs are showing great ability.

Danny Grewcock and Luke Watson didn't play for Bath last time and they will make a difference. Waston's on fire, Grewcock brings experience and a lot of aggression, and Leicester will find it a lot harder in the forwards this time.

There is so much rivalry between the clubs, but it's been fairly quiet over the past few years, probably because Leicester have been so much more successful in recent times.

However, the memories of the fans are a lot longer than those of the players, so the atmosphere will be just like the old days.

Welford Road will be intimidating, ferocious and completely partisan and it will be a really tight affair.

Prediction: Bath by less than seven

BBC link

Big push to raise capacity at The Rec for next season

Crowds of up to 12,500 could watch Bath Rugby at The Rec next season if the club's latest planning applications are given the nod.

Link

Sharks bite back at Butch

Super 14 side the Sharks have hit back after Bath fly-half Butch James blamed the club's management for the collapse of talks aimed at bringing him back to South Africa.

 

Link below:

http://tiny.cc/7robk

Danny has faith in 'best' team

At 37, Danny Grewcock holds a venerable position within Bath Rugby that only a fool-hardy minority would argue is not well-deserved.

 

Link below:

http://tiny.cc/3xgv9

Flatman 'over the moon' with EPS call-up

David Flatman said he was "over the moon" to earn a recall to Martin Johnson's England summer tour party of Australia and New Zealand after last being capped for his country in 2002 against Argentina.

 

Link below:

http://tiny.cc/bu421

Watson heaps praise on coach Meehan

Bath Rugby number eight Luke Watson has heaped praise on head coach Steve Meehan, claiming he has masterminded one of the greatest turnarounds in the history of rugby.

 

Link below:

http://tiny.cc/ov4ra

Bath in great shape for Leicester Tigers clash

Bath Rugby will go into their Guinness Premiership semi-final with Leicester in the best possible shape, believes head coach Steve Meehan.

This is the third season on the trot that Bath have made it to the play-offs. In both 2008 and 2009 the team stumbled at the semi-final stage but Meehan, is oozing confidence as his squad prepare for Sunday's trip to Welford Road (4pm).

 

This is Bath link below:

http://tiny.cc/z2l8k

Joe Worsley: I'm backing Bath for playoff glory because they're the hare

Leicester, Northampton and Saracens have been the Tortoise, steadily plodding through the season picking up the points and inexorably making their way to the play-offs, while the Hare has been Bath.

 

Link below:

http://tiny.cc/edwtw

BRTV: Butch excited for the weekend

Bath fly-half Butch James talks to BRTV about the win against Leeds last weekend and looks forward to the semi-final against Leicester - a game in which Butch says, Bath will give everything they have. Includes highlights.

 

Link below:

http://tiny.cc/cv3t2

Michael Stephenson signs for Leeds

Leeds Carnegie have announced their first major signing of the summer with the capture of Bath winger Michael Stephenson on a two year contract.

 

Link below:

http://tiny.cc/gpm18

Bath players in the England 44 for the tour down under!

Well done to M Banahan, O Barkley, S Hape, D Flatman, L Mears and D Wilson who have made the England 44

 

And to N Abendanon, D Bell, N Catt, S Hooper for making the Saxons Squad.

 

Full team below:

England squad - Backs: D Armitage (London Irish), C Ashton (Northampton), M Banahan (Bath), O Barkley (Bath), D Care (Harlequins), M Cueto (Sale Sharks), T Flood (Leicester), B Foden (Northampton), S Geraghty (Northampton), S Hape (Bath), C Hodgson (Sale Sharks), U Monye (Harlequins), J Simpson (Wasps), D Strettle (Harlequins), M Tait (Sale Sharks), M Tindall (Gloucester), D Waldouck (Wasps), R Wigglesworth (Sale Sharks), J Wilkinson (Toulon), B Youngs (Leicester).
Forwards: S Armitage (London Irish), D Attwood (Gloucester), D Cole (Leicester), T Croft (Leicester), P Doran-Jones (Gloucester), N Easter (Harlequins), D Flatman (Bath), H Fourie (Leeds Carnegie), J Golding (Newcastle), D Hartley (Northampton), J Haskell (Stade Francais), C Lawes (Northampton), L Mears (Bath), L Moody (Leicester), T Palmer (Stade Francais), G Parling (Leicester), T Payne (Wasps), C Robshaw (Harlequins), S Shaw (Wasps), S Thompson (Brive), D Ward-Smith (Wasps), R Webber (Wasps), D Wilson (Bath), J Worsley (Wasps).

England Saxons - Backs: N Abendanon (Bath), A Allen (Leicester), B Barritt (Saracens), J Clarke (Northampton), A Goode (Saracens), P Hodgson (London Irish), S Myler (Northampton), J Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester), O Smith (Montpellier), T Varndell (Wasps), M Young (Newcastle).
Forwards: D Bell (Bath), N Catt (Bath), A Corbisiero (London Irish), P Dowson (Northampton), G Kitchener (Worcester), S Hooper (Bath), T Lindsay (Wasps), L Narraway (Gloucester), D Paice (London Irish), T Rees (Wasps), A Saull (Saracens), G Skivington (Wasps), R Vickers (Newcastle), N Wood (Gloucester), T Wood (Worcester).

Claassens has faith in Bath to upset odds

Michael Claassens has called on his Bath side to upset the odds once again by beating Leicester in this weekend's Guinness Premiership semi-final.

Bath have stunned the world of rugby by climbing from one place off the bottom of the Premiership to the top four in little more than four months.

 

Link:

http://tiny.cc/5747e

Scarlets target Bath centre

THE Scarlets are in talks with Bath centre Tom Cheeseman about a possible move to Parc y Scarlets.

 

Link:

http://tiny.cc/d87o7

Bath Rugby bid farewell to departing players

The following out-of-contract players will be leaving the Club at the end of the 2009-10 season:

Mike Baxter
Daniel Browne
Rhys Crane
Ryan Davis
Rob Hawkins
Nicky Little
Joe Maddock
Julian Salvi
Matt Spelman
Michael Stephenson

Scott Bemand will be retiring due to injury and returning to the family farm, but we hope to see him and his family back at The Rec.

Bath Rugby link
This is Bath link

Maddock confirms Bath exit - Sky Sports

Popular Bath winger Joe Maddock has confirmed he will be leaving The Rec after the play-offs - with Italy his expected destination.

 

Link below:

http://tiny.cc/tdzpn 

Butch James urges Bath not to run out of steam ahead of Leicester semi-final play-off

“It will be an average season for us if we don’t make it to the final,” James said.

“I felt the last two times that the guys were just happy to have made the semi-final. It’s very important that we don’t see the job as already being done. We mustn’t go into our shells now. That’s what happened when we went to Leicester in the league. We didn’t arrive ready to play.”

Telegraph

Fancy a flutter?

Four teams left in the race to lift the Guinness Prem title and here are the latest odds from Sky Bet:

Leicester 10/11
Northampton 11/4
Saracens 9/2
Bath 11/2

Ask Jeremy Guscott

Former Bath, England and Lions centre Jeremy Guscott answers more of your questions as the regular season reaches its climax in the Guinness Premiership and Magners League.

Some of the week's major talking points were:

- Bath securing the fourth and final play-off spot in England's Premiership after making it 11 wins in 12 games

....

Full article

Can we tame the Tigers?

After another resounding win over Leeds Carnegie yesterday at a crowded Rec, Bath Rugby now face bitter rivals Leicester Tigers, next week at Welford Road.

Kick off 4pm

Bath Rugby

Match reaction - Meehan

Steve Meehan says he will give his Bath players absolute freedom to express themselves when they take on Leicester Tigers in their Guinness Premiership semi-final next Sunday.

This is Bath
Sky Sports

Maddock bids farewell to Rec after six years at Bath

Bath try-machine Joe Maddock was carried aloft by his team-mates after today's victory over Leeds as he confirmed he would be leaving The Rec at the end of the season.

Although the 31-year-old's destination for 2010-11 remains uncertain, the New Zealander and his family have decided to move on after six years in the city.

This is Bath

Some messages from the Bath boys!

Nick Abendanon:

"Ankle a bit sore from the game but was happy to score a cheeky little
brace of tries! Now Leicester next weekend."

Olly Barkley:

"After a shaky start the boys turned in a wicked performance with
fireboy Nicko crossing for try of the season???"

"Oh.....and this deserves it's own Tweet. Thankyou Joey for six
amazing years. You and your family will be missed both on and off the
field."

Great game today and can't wait for next week! Thank you Joe we have
really enjoyed your performances at the Rec over the years! You will
be missed...

Bath book a playoff spot...

Bath power there way into the semi-finals, Leicester lose at home for the first time this season...they are beatable!

And it looks like this was Joe's last game.... :(

Eurosport
Sport.co.uk
Rugby Week
ESPN
Rugby World
Sporting Life

Rugby Times rumours - Joe Maddock, Ryan Davis and a new signing!?

A few rumours in the Rugby Times:

Joe Maddock faces a 2 week wait before he knows if he has clinched a move to Treviso, if that falls through he is looking to move to France.

Bath are looking to off load Ryan Davies , and it looks like he is moving to Nottingham

Bath are looking to sign Ross Batty from falcons to replace Hawk!

Ross Batty biography

BRTV: Meehan - players are exceptional

BRTV talks to Steve Meehan about the preparation and recovery required to deal with 3 games in 8 days, before looking forward to a tough contest this weekend against Leeds. Includes Highlights of Bath v Wasps.

BRTV

Bath to win by 18 points??

Here are the odd from Sky Bet for the Bath V Leeds game tomorrow at the Rec...

Bath 1/20
Drawn Match 25/1
Leeds 8/1

Bookies predict that Bath will win by 18 points, therefore the handicap betting is as follows:

-18 Bath 10/11
Handicap Draw 16/1
+18 Leeds 10/11

Fancy a flutter??

BRTV: Hooper - ready for weekend

BRTV talks to Stuart Hooper about Bath's resurgence and guards himself against complacency

BRTV

Luke Watson aims to take Bath to unlikely Guinness Premiership title

Reinvention is always a clever trick. Can it be that Bath, relegation contenders at Christmas, are only 240 minutes away from winning the Premiership title? And can the affable bearded bloke across the room discussing his long-held desire for anonymity really be Luke Watson, until recently the most infamous sporting figure in South Africa? It just shows how swiftly the wheel turns, both in rugby union and in life.

 

Link below:

http://tiny.cc/fqpsj

Bath v Leeds: Teams

England World Cup winner Andy Gomarsall is set to make his final appearance for Leeds Carnegie at former club Bath on Saturday

 

Sky Sports link below:

http://tiny.cc/lrd24

Bath-ing in success

Bath have enjoyed a meteoric rise up the Guinness Premiership table in recent months but while that might have come as a shock to outsiders, head coach Steve Meehan says he always knew his side would come good.

 

Link below:

http://tiny.cc/02bid

Bath Rugby announce team to face Leeds

Now strong contenders for the top four spot in the Guinness Premiership following three wins in one week, Bath Rugby's Head Coach Steve Meehan is hoping to win "in style" at The Rec tomorrow against Leeds. Kick off, 3pm.

"I hope that we get a decent day for the match," said Meehan. "Obviously our first objective is to win the game, but we would like to do it in some style and in the same way that the team have been playing recently.

Bath Rugby link below:

http://tiny.cc/kjf18

Party poopers

Fourth-placed Bath face Leeds at the Recreation Grounds on Saturday afternoon, where the home side need a victory to cement their place in the Guinness Premiership playoffs.

Link Below:

http://tiny.cc/wb3ie

BRTV: Captain Confidential

Michael Claassens talks about the preparation for the last game of the season and his team's last game at the Rec for this season.

 

Link Below:

http://tiny.cc/qoawt

Barkley and Bath on verge of playoffs with London duo set to miss out

Sport is all about timing and Bath seem to have got it spot on. So too their centre Olly Barkley, whose return from injury and form should see him included in England's 44-man squad to tour Australia and New Zealand.

 

Link below:

http://tiny.cc/1xeyk

Guinness Premiership Semi Final and Final Ticket Details

With the clock counting down to the Leeds game, destiny is very much in our own hands - quite simply if we win against Leeds on Saturday we will qualify for the Guinness Premiership semi finals.

As always Bath will be taking a loud and passionate following with them to any semi final or final and we can now confirm the provisional ticket information for both games.

Offy link:

http://tiny.cc/nbvtz

TOM BRADSHAW: Jessica – an inspiration

I used to take the view that community work should be very much a secondary aspect of a professional rugby club's work. Winning games, so my reasoning went, was the bottom line. Meeting members of the public was at best good PR, at worst a distraction.

 

Link below:

http://tiny.cc/3mmcu

Big screen gets the go-ahead

Bath Rugby will push ahead with plans to install a giant television screen on The Rec for the final game of the regular season on Saturday.

Free tickets are now available to watch the match against Leeds (3pm) played out on the large screen behind the East Stand.

As revealed in the Chronicle last week, the club is keen to use The Rec outfield as a spot where people who have missed out on match ticket can watch the game on a TV feed. The plan is to use the outfield for the screening of next season's home games too.

Match ticket-holders for the ground will not be able to access the area in front of the giant screen.

The club is bringing in additional refreshment units and toilets.

The weather forecast for Saturday is for showers – so supporters are being urged to come prepared.

Those aged 16 and under will need to be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Tickets for the event are free from the ticket office in person or on 0844 448 1865 until Friday and then available on the day from the William Street Gate at the ground.

 

From 'This is Bath' website

Hooper expects tough test from old club

Former Leeds captain Stuart Hooper is expecting another tough examination from his old club when they look to spoil The Rec party on Saturday.

Having secured Premiership survival next season in their first year back after promotion from the Championship, Neil Back's side will have the boot chains removed, and the pressure will – for once – be off the Headingley outfit.

 

Link below:

http://tiny.cc/80yw2

Meehan targets happy end to 'incredible' year

The last time Bath faced Leeds, the label 'relegation decider' was being muttered under muted breath in the city, but when Neil Back's side visit The Rec on Saturday, the prize that awaits could not be more different.

Having said yesterday that the four months leading up to Christmas last year were the most challenging he's ever faced in his rugby career, Bath head coach Steve Meehan admitted he also had to dig deep inside.

 

Link below:

http://tiny.cc/1h1xa

James: I was set to leave for Sharks

Butch James has admitted he was all set to leave Bath Rugby for a second stint at Natal Sharks.

But the World Cup-winning playmaker says his dream of returning to South Africa in the build up to next year's World Cup were dashed by the "disgraceful" way in which the Durban-based club handled the negotiations.

 

Link below:

http://tiny.cc/wlrgj

Flatman's return for Bath could be boost for England

England's great leaps forward in the Test arena have not been blindingly obvious this season – to most eyes, they have taken a series of small steps backwards – and their work in the scrum, the very foundation of their game, has been particularly unimpressive. This might be about to change, just in time for the build-up to next year's World Cup. The Bath prop David Flatman, last capped in 2002, has recovered from his latest injury hassle and is ready to challenge for a place on next month's five-match trip to Australia and New Zealand.

 

Link below:

http://tiny.cc/nm4rw

 

A message from Bath Rugby Supporters club

BRSC have "Another evening with Nick Blofeld" coming up on Tue 11-05-2010
Also check out the section on coaches to possible semi final

http://www.allez-bath.co.uk/

 

Message from Mike Senior BRSC commitee member

 

Bath Rugby Club News

We all know how amazing the players have been performing on the pitch of late (what is it ten Guinness Premiership wins out of eleven and a resounding victory over Wasps?) but what have they been up to off the pitch? Read our new 'Club News' feature and all will be revealed!

 

Club news link bellow:

http://tiny.cc/sz1i4

Big Screen for Leeds game

Sorry this article is abit 'old news' now, dont know how I missed it last week...

Think this idea will create a great atmosphere at the Rec (if it happens?), as long as its a nice sunny day!?

This is Bath link

Bath V Leeds preview - from the Leeds Rugby Network

Here's the first preview of our final game of the season. It is from the Leeds Rugby network board so is abit 'Leeds heavy', but worth a read!

The link

Ask Jeremy Guscott

The rugby union season is nearing crunch time as the line-up is decided for the two European finals, and former Bath, England and Lions centre Jeremy Guscott is on hand to answer your questions.

BBC

David Flatman: For Queen and country, I will play more often

As always a great read!

David Flatman - The Independant

Olly Barkley finds his comfort zone

There was a time when Bath centre Olly Barkley was seen as one of the 'bad boys' of rugby, but he has had some life-changing experiences.

The Telegraph