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DIGITAL PROGRAMME: RACING 92 (ICC: R3)

Sunday 14 January 2024

By Bath Rugby

January 12^th, 2024

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WELCOME, FROM EPCR

A warm welcome to this Round 3 match in the 2023/24 Investec Champions Cup and a Happy New Year to all as we reach the business end of the tournament’s pool stage.

Complementing the landmark introduction of Investec as the competition’s new title partner, the opening rounds delivered a compelling series of world-class and indeed out of the ordinary matches. Now the intensity goes up another notch with coveted places in the knockout stage at stake.

With the top four clubs in each pool guaranteed qualification, there’s an important added incentive for the contenders: the clubs finishing first and second in their respective pools will have home venue advantage in the all-important first knockout stage, the Round of 16. For those clubs that finish fifth in each pool, the journey does not end there as they qualify for the Round of 16 of the EPCR Challenge Cup.

Everything is to play for.

So, after what promises to be even more tension-fuelled action this month, we’ll have a clearer idea of the pathway to the showpiece Finals weekend at London’s state-of-the-art Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next May for which over 45,000 tickets have already been sold.

We are delighted to be joined on the journey to London by Investec, by our premium partner, Heineken, and by our official partners, DHL, IHG Hotels & Resorts and Georgia Rugby Marketing Hub, as well as our official supporters, Tissot, Gilbert and Kappa, and also by our official airline partner in South Africa, Qatar Airways.

TNT Sports, ITV and RTÉ in the UK and Ireland, beIN SPORTS and France Télévisions in France, and SuperSport in South Africa, continue to provide comprehensive and innovative broadcast coverage, while S4C in Wales and FloRugby in the USA and Canada, are showcasing the matches to more viewers than ever across the globe.

We hope that you enjoy the match today and take this opportunity to send our best wishes to you, the fans, your club’s players and staff, and of course to our match officials, as we anticipate the celebrations and the occasional heartache that go with the territory when qualification for the Investec Champions Cup knockout stage is on the line!

Yours in rugby,

Dominic McKay,

EPCR Chairman

BAYLISS IS BACK IN A LARGELY UNCHANGED 23 TO FACE RACING 92

Having secured wins against Ulster Rugby and Cardiff Rugby in Rounds 1 and 2, the European competition is back, with Racing 92 heading to The Rec for the first time in Bath Rugby history.

In a hotly anticipated return to the field, Josh Bayliss has been named by Head of Rugby, Johann van Graan, after spending the season so far on the sidelines with a thigh injury.

Shuffling the team slightly for the visit of the Top 14 side, van Graan’s selection remains largely unchanged from the win over Gloucester Rugby last weekend.

Beno Obano and Tom Dunn remain in place in the front row after a consistent performance so far this season.

Thomas du Toit switches in from last week’s bench to take the starting tighthead position.

Quinn Roux has also been brought into the starting XV, partnering Charlie Ewels in the second row.

GJ van Velze and Miles Reid both retain their jerseys on the flanks after a huge shift last weekend.

Alfie Barbeary completes the pack and starts at Number 8.

Amongst the backs, Ben Spencer and Finn Russell retain their familiar partnership at half back.

This will be Russell’s first encounter with his former side after leaving the Parisian outfit last summer.

In the midfield, international pairing, Cameron Redpath and Ollie Lawrence, remain as van Graan’s centres.

Out on the wing, unstoppable Will Muir takes the 11 jersey, getting increasingly familiar with the fans of the South Stand due to his try-scoring efforts in what is becoming known as Horse Corner.

Joe Cokanasiga secures the other wing at 14, with double try-scorer and last week’s Gallagher Player of the Match, Tom de Glanville, retaining his spot at full back.

Amongst the replacements, Niall Annett, Juan Schoeman and Will Stuart line up ready to come on in the front row.

Elliott Stooke, Josh Bayliss and Chris Cloete make up the forwards in a 6-2 split. After playing for Bath United and putting in an impressive performance last weekend, this is Bayliss’s first professional run out since being injured in pre-season.

Louis Schreuder and Sam Harris take the replacement backs positions, with young Harris becoming a regular feature in the senior set-up in recent weeks.

The game kicks off on Sunday 14 January at 13:00.

"WE'VE GIVEN OURSELVES A FOUNDATION NOW TO KICK ON IN THIS COMPETITION AND SUNDAY IS ANOTHER HUGE TEST" - BATH RUGBY CAPTAIN, BEN SPENCER

It’s hugely exciting from a club point of view, from a supporter point of view and from a playing point of view.

We say it all the time about this competition, as a rugby player you want to test yourself against the best and you look at the Racing team sheet, there’s probably not going to be too many better ones out there.

Hopefully playing against the best brings the best out of your and as Johann has mentioned, we’ve also got a lot of world class players in our squad and it’s a challenge that we’re very much looking forward to.

We’ve given ourselves a foundation now to kick on in this competition and Sunday is another huge test.

I think we just want to attack this competition with all we’ve got and leave no stone unturned to see where it gets us.

I think momentum is huge, especially in this competition. We’re two from two but we’re under no uncertain terms that the next two weeks are gonna be a huge challenge and it starts with Racing 92 at home on Sunday.

Hopefully we get a full house at The Rec and we can put on a show.

This competition is, as well as the Premiership, on the day anyone can beat anyone. Racing have had two tough games to start, but we’re not naïve to know that they’ll be right up for it at the weekend.

The Bath support is probably one of the most loyal fanbases I’ve ever seen. From where we were a few years ago, they’ve stuck by us unbelievably well and as a playing group we’re hugely thankful to them and hopefully that shows in some of the rugby we’ve produced this year.

THE REC TO HOST TWO ENGLAND U20 SIX NATIONS FIXTURES

England U20 Men’s team are bringing international rugby to The Rec once again.

After the success of last year's U20 Six Nations fixture, The Rec will now play host to both of England's home fixtures against Wales and Ireland.

Be there to watch the stars of the future, with appearances looking likely for a number of our young Bath players.

For as little as £26.25, you can come to BOTH England U20 fixtures, with children's bundle tickets starting from just £8.75.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW

LEARN MORE ABOUT VYOO

THE REDDY: PAINT THE TOWN RED

WHEN GATES OPEN FROM 11:00

Happy Hour - secure your discounted pints 🍻
Tunnel of noise for the players' arrival 👏
Live music from The Relayz 🎸
Southgate Samba Band 🪘
1865 Club reunion 🏉
Official Pre-match Party at Walcot House 🪩
Bath Rugby Foundation raffle - win a signed England Rugby World Cup jersey!
Matchday Ambassadors 👋
Half-time interview with John Hall & Matt Garvey 🎤
Mascot Max 🦁
Food & beverage 🍴
Exclusive Paint the Town Red offers! 🤑
Bath Rugby Shop - secure your Euro kit, including a 20% discount! 🔴
Fan Radio 📻
Bath Rugby Supporters' Club 🤝
Face painter 🎨
Travel sorted with Centurion Travel 🚌

READ THE REDDY IN FULL

PURCHASE VIÑALBA

MATCH PREVIEW

In one of the most hotly anticipated competitions in domestic rugby, the Investec Champions Cup returns this weekend.

Seeing Bath Rugby take on the Ulster men of Northern Ireland, Head of Rugby Johann van Graan has previewed the challenge, being open about the fact that he "loves this competition".

"“I’m really looking forward to this competition. It’s one that I love and a competition that’s the best versus the best. It’s teams not only from Europe but now from South Africa and I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in some amazing games in the Champions Cup.

“I’ve previously coached in Ireland for five years and I understand what the Champions Cup means to the Irish teams. Ulster are a European giant and a team that have been very successful in this competition so we can’t wait for it.

"This competition is just as tough as the Premiership from an intensity perspective. There’s no weekend that we’d think “oh we’re at home we’re going to be ok”, the Premiership is very tough. The difference in Europe is the prestige of the competition. It’s teams from all over. Our lads at Bath haven’t played against Ulster for a while and it’s the different flavour the competition offers.

“At the start of the season last year, we collectively said as a group we need to get back in the Champions Cup. And if we take it back to the last ten minutes of our season last year, we had to make up 21 match points at that stage on Bristol, and in the last play of the game we were -1 point behind. The drama around that game, who’d have thought the fight for eighth place would be talking point.

“We’re happy with where we are in the Premiership but we have the excitement of the Champions Cup looming now and two weekends where we play opponents who we don’t face a lot.

“Dan [McFarland] is a good rugby friend of mine. We crossed paths when I was still with South Africa, and after a few of my seasons at Munster, he then became Ulster’s coach. He’s done so well and we’ve got respect for each other. He’s a good rugby man and we’ve had some big battles.

“Every point counts and with the way this competition is designed now you’ve got six teams in your pool, you play against four of them and you have to make the top four to advance to the next stage of the competition, so every point matters.

“We’re up against a team who are used to European rugby, and for us, this is our first time we as a group are up for Champions Cup rugby so for us it’s really exciting. We want to improve our record in this competition and it’s brilliant to be part of it and we’re going to give it a full shot."

READ THE FULL PREVIEW

PAINT LE TOWN ROUGE!

Time for a second coat as we paint the town red once again in our European cup kit!

In a city-wide initiative, supporters can take advantage of a whole host of offers, including 20% off the red European kit from Friday until Sunday, an Official Pre-Match Party at Walcot House on Saturday 13 January, and tonnes of offers at local bars and restaurants. Take a look below!

🔴 Bath Rugby Shop - 20% off Euro Cup kit in store and online from 12-14 January

🔴 Heavenly Desserts - 20% off*

🔴 Ludo Sports Bar & Kitchen - 2-4-1 on all cocktails*

🔴 Tapas Revolution - 20% off, plus a free beer or wine on arrival for anyone that pre-books and quotes 'Paint The Town Red*

🔴 Mr Filberts Fine Foods - Get 20% off online voucher off by visiting the stand in the fan village! You'll even get to try some of their snacks.

🔴 Walcot House | Bread & Jam - Official Pre-Game Party

🔴 Bath Pizza Co - 15% off (STH/Members only)

🔴 Brewdog - 10% off (STH/Members only)

*offer available on Sunday 7 January only

GET THE FULL LOW DOWN OF WHAT'S ON

GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP ROUNDS 13 TO 16 CONFIRMED

We are pleased to confirm the dates and kick-off times for our Round 13 to 16 Gallagher Premiership fixtures.

R 13 🛁 Bath Rugby v Sale Sharks 🦈 - Sunday 24 March, 15:00

R14 🃏 Harlequins v Bath Rugby 🛁 - Saturday 30 March, 15:05

R15 🏖️ Exeter Chiefs v Bath Rugby 🛁 - Saturday 20 April, 17:30

R16 🛁 Bath Rugby v Saracens 💫 - Friday 26 April, 19:45

20% OFF EURO KIT!

Get your hands on the striking red strip with 20% off for this weekend only!

Offer available online and in store from Friday 12 to Sunday 14 January.

SHOP NOW

ABOUT THE OPPOSITION: RACING 92

New to The Rec, Racing 92 will be taking on the Blue, Black and White for the very first time.

A friend of van Graan's, Racing 92 are led by former Leinster and England Rugby head coach, Stuart Lancaster, with van Graan commenting this week he has nothing but respect for Lancaster.

"Stuart and I go back a long time", said van Graan. "The first test series that I was involved in was versus England in that 2012 series when he was the head coach of England, and at the time, I was a technical consultant with the Springboks, and we became very good friends.

“We met up before and after the test matches, and it was as a result of our conversations I appointed Graham Rowntree (at Munster) and got to know Andy Farrell too. That’s how rugby works – all about the relationships.

“And of course, in 2017 Stuart went to Leinster whilst I was at Munster, and he added a massive amount to their rugby, and now he’s doing similar things at Racing, and I have the utmost respect for him.”

Lancaster brings with him a whole heap of world class talent, with Springbok and double World Cup winner, Siya Kolisi, having joined Racing's ranks after lifting the Webb Ellis Cup.

Also present is local born Henry Arundell who can't stop scoring, having bagged six tries in seven games for his new club.

There is plenty of talent to be name dropped right the way through the squad, with the likes of international stars Cameron Woki, Will Rowlands, Gael Fickou, Josua Tuisova and Trevor Nykane just to name a few.

There's no doubt about the challenge Racing 92 will bring with them as they reach BA2 on the weekend, but the Bath side are ready and waiting to do what it takes to stop their momentum.

BATH RUGBY'S LAST EUROPEAN FIXTURE

Cardiff Rugby v Bath Rugby, Saturday 16 December 2023

Cardiff Rugby 32-39 Bath Rugby

TRY MR FILBERT'S

RENGEN HOUSE ANNOUNCED AS OFFICIAL PARTNER OF THE LEGENDS' LOUNGE & THE 1865 CLUB

We are excited to announce that Rengen Development has signed a deal to become Founding Partners of Bath Rugby’s 1865 Club and exclusive sponsors of the newly launched Legends’ Lounge, one of the club’s most prestigious and iconic hospitality areas.

The three-season partnership is a key part of Bath Rugby’s legacy plans to celebrate the club’s rich player history and heritage supported by the leading development company, part of Iesis Group and with a proven history for strategic regeneration in the southwest of England.

Iestyn Lewis, Rengen CEO and former Bath Rugby player, played over five seasons for the Blue, Black and White.

He said: “The 1865 Club initiative is a step change for the club in supporting player legacy and being able to integrate my brand with that program is very important to both me and the business. I look forward to the partnership and watching the success of the club over the next few years.”

John Hall, President, and Heritage Chair of Bath Rugby, played 277 times for the club during a 14-year senior career, captaining the Blue, Black and White from 1993 to 1995 and appearing in five winning cup finals before being appointed Director of Rugby.

He said: “Bath Rugby, placed in the heart of the city, is unique in English rugby with a long and rich history dating back to 1865. So many great players have worn the jersey over the years and the Legends’ Lounge - home of the 1865 Club - quickly becoming a popular and successful hospitality area within The Rec, is a key component of the work we are doing to honour and celebrate their legacy."

Tom Giles, Head of Business Development of Bath Rugby, added: “We are delighted to welcome Iestyn and the team at Rengen Development. It is fantastic to be partnered with such a successful local company that is so active within the city and the region."

If you would like to join us in the Legends' Lounge next season, or in any of our annual hospitality suites, please register your interest via hospitality@bathrugby.com and we will send you details for the new season when sales open.

THREE BATH RUGBY YOUNGSTERS NAMED FOR ENGLAND U20 DEVELOPMENTAL MATCH

After taking on Bath United last weekend, England U20 will play Oxford University in their final preparatory match ahead of the U20 Six Nations tournament next month.

Mark Mapletoft has called Jack Bennett in, fresh from playing against Mapletoft's side last weekend.

Bennett is named alongside Billy Sela and Scott Kirk who were opponents for Bath United in last week's fixture down at Shaftesbury Park.

READ THE FULL NEWS

CLUB CONTINUES COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP PROMOTING MATCHDAY SAFETY

Every week, Bath Rugby supporters travel from far and wide to support the Blue, Black and White.

Whether at home at The Rec, or travelling across the country, win or lose the Bath Rugby faithful is there to cheer the team on.

As a club, Bath Rugby wants to make sure it is doing all it can to ensure the matchday experience is a safe space for all its supporters and the wider community.

After the success of its campaign with Avon & Somerset Police and British Transport Police last season, Bath Rugby has joined forces once again with the two organisations to tackle violence and harassment against women and girls in the South West area.

The initiative promotes the act of being an active bystander, where we as a community can come together and safely challenge unacceptable behaviour on a matchday, on the journey to the stadium and when travelling home.

LEARN MORE

BECOME A NEXTGEN MEMBER!

NextGen, the destination for junior Bath Rugby fans.

NextGen membership is designed specifically to cater for the next generation of players and Bath Rugby fans aged between 4 and 16, providing exclusive access to child-friendly content, unforgettable experiences and fantastic competitions.

If you fit the below criteria, NextGen membership has you covered!

✔️ Forever Blue, Black and White

✔️ Aged 4-16

✔️ Rugby fanatic

✔️ Enjoy watching funny content

✔️ Excited to win exclusive prizes

And the best part - it's all FREE!

SIGN UP TO NEXTGEN TODAY

GINGERBREAD HOUSES WITH BATH RUGBY

Let's throwback to when Miles Reid, Sam Underhill and Kieran Verden tried their hand at decorating their own gingerbread houses!

Who will be victorious?!

RUN THE BATH HALF FOR US IN MARCH!

Looking for your next challenge? Open to pushing yourself? We're looking for people to run the Bath Half on behalf of Bath Rugby Foundation in March.

When running and raising money for Bath Rugby Foundation, you'll not only be changing the lives of young people in and around Bath, but you'll also get:

Free limited edition Bath Rugby Foundation running vest
Training runs and running clinics to improve your time and recovery
Massage sessions throughout your training, as well as on the day of the Bath Half
Secure bag storage
Warm space pre and post run
Food and hydration taken care of
Bath Half cheering support
Jelly babies!!

MORE INFO

WIN IN THE MATCHDAY RAFFLE!

Our brilliant volunteers will be out in the fan village and hospitality boxes selling raffle tickets, giving you the chance to win a SIGNED England Rugby World Cup jersey.

Ollie Lawrence, Sam Underhill and Will Stuart have all signed the shirt which comes in an England Rugby presentation box, complete with a travel pack!

ENTER THE RAFFLE

BY DAVID HARRINGTON, CHAIR

An Investec Champions Cup match at The Rec is always a “magical” day.

BRSC welcomes both the team and supporters from Racing 92 when we will be privileged to watch world class players, on both sides, grace the game we all love.

Who would have thought 12 months ago that after the first two rounds Bath Rugby have won both matches each with a bonus point and Racing 92 would have lost both and to two teams that we have beaten recently?

After another “W” last weekend (the ‘double’ over Gloucester Rugby), all is set for another classic encounter – if we can get a “home” win, we are guaranteed a place in the Round of 16 (unless my Maths has let me down again!).

BRSC is delighted to announce that over the Christmas/New Year period we signed up our 1,000th Member of the season – the first ever time we have reached this milestone. Congratulations to Stephen Workman to whom we hope to present his special prize, at the BRSC Gazebo adjacent to the Swift Half before the Racing 92 game. Our next Membership target will be the 1,865th Member – for obvious reasons!

To celebrate this achievement a special draw will also be held for all 1,000 Members (automatic entry) and the lucky winner will also receive a prize.

At just £10 for a single adult, membership of BRSC is excellent value for money with all the benefits it provides (see “allez-bath.co.uk” for a full list).

Our next event will be held on Tuesday 13 February 2024 when Tony Spreadbury joins us to host the ever popular “Ask the Ref”, in the Clubhouse at The Rec.

BRSC is proud and delighted to work alongside Bath Rugby Foundation (BRF) to help raise funds to improve the lives of disadvantaged young people who live in and around Bath.

The recent floods badly affected the Bath Rugby Foundation's offices at the Rec Sports Hub which has had to close temporarily. A special fund has been established to assist towards the costs of repair and any donations are welcomed – you can make a donation towards this fund at the BRSC Gazebo before the Racing 92 game.

BRSC sends our beloved Blue, Black and White every best wish for a great and successful game today.

It's so easy to join BRSC – come along to our new Gazebo, adjacent to the Swift Half, in the Fan Village, on a match day (we are there from “Gates Open” to 15 minutes before kick-off or visit us on-line at “allez-bath.co.uk”).