Bath
REBUILD AND REVIVE: 2027 PREVIEW
By PG Tips
August 24 2026
Bath Rugby’s pre-season starts this week in Perpignan (more on that tomorrow), heralding the start of a crucial campaign for the club. The first bricks of the proposed new Rec stadium should be laid this coming summer, hopefully on an accelerated timetable and fans will hope for a return to honours after semi-final frustration in all 3 tournaments last season. So will we see continuing evolution of a dynasty to match the stadium ambitions? Let’s examine the chances.
In domestic terms, Bath’s main rivals would seem to be the “usual suspects” of last season- Northampton Saints, Leicester and Exeter Chiefs. The bookmakers certainly think so – although they have replaced Chiefs with Saracens. The champions of the past two seasons, Northampton and Bath will see the fewest new signings, which suggests another highly competitive season, potentially involving a new challenger. Could that be Sale, who have beefed up their pack with Nicky Smith, Tschiunza and Lawes as well as adding the spark of Lozowski and Marchant to their backline? Saracens have added the heft of Barbeary and Martin plus the guile of scrum half Tomos Williams: expect them to mount a serious threat. Outside these, Gloucester who have bagged two Wales captains, Lake and Morgan or Newcastle who have opted for a major rebuild (a “League of Nations” squad of experienced warriors) lie in ambush for any overconfident visitor.
The challengers therefore seem mostly familiar and van Graan will doubtless have planned his season strategy to meet them. What though of Bath’s own game and how should that evolve to meet this season’s challenges? I see 5 main points.
- Tighten the Defence
For all the angst about wasted chances and predictable attack, last term defensive lapses hurt Bath the most. Northampton, Exeter and Bordeaux Begles all caught Bath napping at crucial moments. Whether it is system, skill or speed of thought, JP Ferreira has work to do.
- Broaden the Forward effort.
The departure of South African titans Du Toit and van Wyk gives Bath a challenge in asserting scrum dominance and will also affect the close quarter pick and drive game. The arrival of Dan Du Preez and hopefully the return of Jaco Coetzee strengthens the carrying options from the back row. With Reid, Green, Bayliss, Pepper and Underhill all fit Bath should have a variety of strike threats, so hopefully Mike Prendergast will find new ways of using their skills in attack.
- Broaden The Attack
That brings me to attack generally. Last season’s attack was predictable, not just in pick and drive, but also the emphasis on an aerial game to “win back” kicked ball. As these had been successful weapons in 2025, the most astute of Bath’s opponents found strategies to negate them. The answer is simple: variety and surprise. It will be fascinating to see what shape those take in practice. Over to you Mr Prendergast.
- Lineout Improvement
Stable platforms are essential to quick attack- whether scrum, lineout or breakdown. Bath’s lineout struggled at times last season and became a less reliable launchpad for innovative attack as a result. It is easy to blame hooker or jumper but the phase is a team skill. Notably the lineout was at its’ best when Charlie Ewels played. A strong alternative lineout leader is needed. A role perhaps for Ewan Richards?
- Half backs
Finally, trust in alternatives at half back. This was best illustrated at the end of the Prem semi, when a drop goal or pass to an overlap would have broken the frontal assault stalemate. Finn Russell did not play that day and an exhausted Ben Spencer had been replaced. More game time for Carr-Smith, Van de Linde, Carreras and Donoghue is needed to prepare them for these moments.
While all those need improvement if Bath are to shine, they are all fixable. Hopefully all have been comprehensively addressed in the off season. The above is not doom and gloom, just a realistic assessment of measures needed to realise ambitions. With a settled squad, a new attack coach and the boost of the impending Stadium rebuild, all at the club have plenty of grounds for optimism. Could we see the return of trophies this year? Let’s hope so. Bring it on!
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24/08/2026 11:33
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Year Tries Average Per Match 2026 111 7.4 2025 108 7.2 2024 61 4.1 2023 91 6.1 2022 73 4.9
Recent Law changes have facilitated the try increase. This means that the likes of JP Ferreira have had to up their game to keep up but I have no doubt that JvG as an analyst will have reassessed these changes and will implement changes.
The unknown in this coming season is how Mike Prendergast will influence Bath, we have as a result of transfers and injury a squad that has significant changes. Ben Spencer's shoulder means he misses the start of the season and his half back partner is only just returning from his calf injury. This half back uncertainty is new territory but not to be unexpected as Ben is 31 and Finn approaching 34. In rugby terms they are approaching the end of their careers and we should not expect the durability we have seen in previous seasons. We need alternatives in this positions and also need to re-integrate Stuart and Coetzee this season the team make up will be quite different and we must be prepared for churn as players find their feet..
The play this season will be dictated by Mike Prendergast's vision for the club, it may well be that our lack of activity in the transfer market may ride on MP's shopping list having seen his new charges in action. For me this is a rebuilding season and I don't expect to dominate sides in the way we have done in the past under Blackett. Time will tell how Mike Prendergast will fare but I think his influence will be considerable in the games to come.
Also looking forward to at least 1 game of heavy rain in the open stand so in 10 years time can turn to new fans and explain in great detail how lucky they are and what things were like in the old days...
I very much agree with Shipwrecked that it's a rebuilding season and my expectations are considerably lower than last year. That doesn't mean I'm not going to enjoy the season, I'm just going in with a healthy dose of realism. And an acceptance that Saints have a young squad that could dominate for several years if they can keep it together.
Question – has there actually been an official announcement about Mike Prendergast?
Looking forward to the entertainment JvG and the squad give us.
I believe we will see, obviously, a different squad but the whole point of having a plan is that it recognises future changes.
They will have known 12 months ago that TdeT, FVW and Barbs would not be here for the 1st September.
Hence the blooding and development of our young props.....the return of Will Stuart (like a new signing) and the recruitment of Dan du Preez.
Never mind the "return" of O'Donoghue, BVDL, the ongoing development of TCS, Arthur Green etc, etc.
If you have these highly talented young players......they have to play!
I think we will be very surprised at the progress that these young players make.
PS Excellent report PG
Quote:hasta
... It's Donaghue, not O'Donoghue, BFJ!
Err.... no.... Ciaran Donoghue
Quote:shipwrecked
Are the club spelling it wrong then?
Yes my bad on the middle O, BFJ on the starting one!
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