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MATCHDAY PROGRAMME: EXETER CHIEFS (GP: R7)

Saturday 26 October 2024

By Bath Rugby

November 30^th, 2024

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MATCHDAY PROGRAMME: EXETER CHIEFS (GP: R7)

A WELCOME FROM OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Welcome to The Rec for this Gallagher Premiership Round 7 clash with Exeter Chiefs as we see the return of our league campaign following a break for the early rounds of the Premiership Rugby Cup.

With a packed house expected for the visit of our neighbours from just down the M5, we are set for another all-action encounter. As always, a huge thank you to our incredible supporters as we continue to build momentum across the domestic competitions and looking ahead to our Investec Champions Cup adventure, beginning next Friday when we welcome Stade Rochelais.

We extend a warm welcome to the players, staff and travelling supporters from Exeter who have made the journey for this Saturday’s game. We know Chiefs, led by Rob Baxter, bring both dynamism and physicality and I am sure they’ll be eyeing this derby clash as an opportunity to kick-start their season, so we’ll need to be at our best for the full 80 minutes.

For us, it’s been an encouraging season so far across league and cup. In the Gallagher Premiership, five wins from six matches has reflected the resilience and ‘hard to beat’ mantra of our squad, instilled by Johann and his coaching team, with three of those victories coming away from home.

Equally, the club’s emerging players have stepped up impressively in the Premiership Rugby Cup, delivering three wins from three to put us top of our group featuring Ampthill, Bedford Blues, and Bristol Bears. Led by Andy Robinson and captained brilliantly by Ewan Richards, this exciting blend of experience and Academy talent shows our squad’s strength in depth and bodes well for the future.

Johann has spoken at length about the demands of the modern game meaning every player needs to be ready to step in and perform at any given moment to deliver high-quality performances, and we’ve certainly seen that in recent weeks.

Next Friday as I’ve already mentioned, we begin our Investec Champions Cup campaign against Stade Rochelais here at The Rec – a fantastic opportunity to test ourselves against one of Europe’s finest teams. The excitement is palpable, and European nights under the lights are something special to behold where the city comes alive, and stars of the rugby world collide.

We’ve seen already some of those international players in the recent Autumn Nations Series, and it’s always an incredibly proud moment to witness our Bath contingent representing their countries. From South Africa to Scotland, England to Wales, our players have been able to showcase their quality on a global stage.

Closer to home, we were delighted to announce recently that two of our younger players, Louie Hennessey and Vilikesa Sela, have extended their contracts with the club. Their progress epitomises the promise within our senior academy, underlined by those who have represented Bath so far in the Premiership Rugby Cup.

Recently, we celebrated our latest Hall of Fame inductees at Farleigh House. Honouring these legends underscores the rich heritage of our club while inspiring the current and future generations of players and supporters alike.

Linked to this, we have seen a number of players make their debuts for the Blue, Black and White in recent weeks, each now the proud owner of their own unique legacy number.

Lastly, I wanted to touch upon the club’s commitment to making the matchday experience at The Rec the best in the league. From food and beverage offerings to entertainment and fan engagement, we are investing in ensuring every supporter enjoys an exceptional day with us. An excellent example of this is our new partnership with Truespeed, which is an investment and improvement in our stadium infrastructure to enhance the experience at The Rec. This upgrade will introduce Wi-Fi to the Fan Village and ensure that Bath Rugby fans, visitors and vendors benefit from the improved connectivity in the area.

There are lots of exciting developments both off and on the pitch, with you, our supporters, central to the success of the club and bringing the noise that we know the players feed off, particularly in games like this one on Saturday against another west country rival.

Enjoy the match!

COYB!

Tarquin

VISIT THATCHERS

BATH RETURN TO PREMIERSHIP ACTION IN WEST COUNTRY CLASH

After a month away from Gallagher Premiership action, the Blue, Black and White return to The Rec this Saturday in a West Country clash against Exeter Chiefs.

Seeing nine players return from their respective international camps, Johann van Graan has named his matchday-23 for what is set to be a huge encounter against Rob Baxter’s men.

Ben Spencer returns to the hooped jersey to lead his team out under the lights at The Rec.

Lining up in the front row, Thomas du Toit packs down at loosehead.

Tom Dunn is named at hooker, with Will Stuart taking the tighthead position.

In the second row, Quinn Roux and Charlie Ewels rekindle their partnership at lock.

Across the back row, Ted Hill and Guy Pepper pack down on the flanks, with Miles Reid at Number 8.

Captain Spencer will earn his 200th Premiership appearance alongside Finn Russell, who starts at fly-half.

In the midfield, Will Butt will partner Ollie Lawrence in this week’s centre partnership.

Will Muir starts on the left wing, Joe Cokanasiga starts on the right wing, and Tom de Glanville will complete van Graan’s starting selection at full back.

Lining up on the bench, Niall Annett, Francois van Vyk and Kieran Verden are named as Bath’s replacement front row.

Ross Molony and Alfie Barbeary are joined by Josh Bayliss in van Graan’s 6-2 split.

Louis Schreuder is named replacement scrum-half, with a return to the field from the bench for Cameron Redpath after a spell on the sidelines.

Bath currently sit top of log, with five wins from six Gallagher Premiership outings.

The game kicks off under the lights on Saturday 30 November at 17:45.

JOIN US AND MAKE SOME NOISE FOR THE BOYS!

Our Matchday Ambassadors will be gathering fans from 16:20 at the William St Gate ready to welcome the team into the stadium!

Be there, wave your hands and clap your banners for the arrival of the Blue, Black and White!

MATCH PREVIEW, DELIVERED BY HUBOO

Johann van Graan has spoken about the importance of reconnecting as a squad as Bath Rugby prepare to face Exeter Chiefs this Saturday (30 November, kick-off 17:45).

The Blue, Black and White are set to return to league action after the Autumn Internationals and the early rounds of the Premiership Rugby Cup.

Despite this weekend’s opponents still searching for their first win in the Gallagher Premiership this season, van Graan knows his side will need to be at their very best to get a positive result against a team, and a Director of Rugby, the South African has huge admiration for.

“Exeter are one of the clubs I respect the most,” he said. “Don’t let their log position be deceiving in terms of how good a team they are. Their first game of the season, they played Leicester and lost in the last play of the game. They were 32-12 up against Bristol, and Bristol have also been on fire. They also beat a pretty strong Gloucester team at home in the Premiership Cup last Friday night, so they are a very, very good side.

“It’s the restart of the Premiership, it’s our next Premiership game so we won’t even mention their log position, for us it’s Bath versus Exeter.

“Rob is a very good friend of mine, what they’ve created at Exeter is incredible from where they have come from to winning the Premiership and winning in Europe. Rob is a fantastic coach and a coach I respect a lot,” added van Graan.

READ THE FULL MATCH PREVIEW

SECURE YOUR SEAT FOR THE LAUNCH OF THE INVESTEC CHAMPIONS CUP!

Bath Rugby have the honour of hosting the opening night of Europe's biggest rugby competition, welcoming Stade Rochelais to The Rec under the Friday night lights.

Bag yourself tickets using our 30% discount code BFRIDAY30 before 23:59 on Monday 2 December and take advantage of our Blue, Black and White Friday offer!

The encounter is set to be a huge evening as we host La Grande Night Out. Be there for the unmissable action!

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THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS PRESENT!

Our Premium Matchday Experiences make the occasion more than just a match.

You can now treat your junior rugby fanatics to a premium matchday experience, seeing them run out with the team come game time!

Our Hospitality packages are the perfect way to celebrate special occasions, catch up with friends & family, or treat your loved one to something special.

Give the gift of rugby this Christmas and book today.

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THE RECCY: YOUR MATCHDAY GUIDE

When gates open from 15:45..

Live music from Sad Dad Club 🎤
Jamma de Samba 🥁
Max the Mascot 🦁
THE BIG GIVE, for Bath Rugby Foundation 💷
Happy Hour! 🍻 (15:45-16:45)
Click & Collect on drinks
Bath Rugby Foundation raffle 🎟️
Bag 30% off European tickets in our Black Friday sale! ⭐️
Tunnel of noise 🤩
Pyro show 🔥
'Come on You Bath' clapper banners - bring the noise! 👏
Food & beverage 🌭 +10% discount for Club Members
Bath Rugby Shop 👕
Bath Rugby Supporters' Club 🤝
Travel sorted with Centurion plus Park & Ride 🚌
LED Stilt Walkers 🔵

READ THE RECCY IN FULL

OUR EXCLUSIVE MATCHDAY HOSPITALITY PACKAGES FOR 2024/25

Make your matchday memorable

The Blue, Black & White Club is open for matchday bookings for the 2024/25 season.

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, catching up with loved ones, or entertaining clients, The Blue, Black & White Club provides the perfect venue to create a matchday to remember.

FIND OUT MORE

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BATH RUGBY TRAINING RANGE 2024/25

Unleash your potential with Bath Rugby's 2024/25 Training Collection. Embodying the team's ambition, the Bath Rugby Training Range merges sleek design with uncompromising performance.

Whether you're powering through the scrum or lining up that match-winning drop kick, our Dark Slate, Caviar, and Viridian Green colourway exudes minimalist style while delivering maximum impact.

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ONES TO WATCH: EXETER CHIEFS

Olly Woodburn leads Exeter Chiefs with 34 carries over the gain line and 15 dominant carries. He is second only to Josh Hodge for total carries made (58).

Hodge has registered three tries already in this 2024/25 season, helping him towards a points total of 55 with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso adding to his team's try count with five.

Ross Vintcent leads the league with 142 attacking ruck entries; teammate Richard Capstick is second with 130.

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ABOUT TODAY'S OPPOSITION: EXETER CHIEFS

Exeter Chiefs have won their last three first team matches, all in the Premiership Rugby Cup, whilst in the Gallagher Premiership they have yet to register a win.

Rob Baxter's side have won just once on the road in the league in 2024, beating Gloucester 38-17 at Kingsholm at the end of April. The Chiefs' most recent success at The Rec was 23-16 in November 2021.

U20 SIX NATIONS RETURNS TO THE REC

The home of Bath Rugby will open its doors for England U20 Six Nations fixtures against France and Italy.

The Rec and Kingston Park will host England U20 Men’s home Six Nations fixtures in 2025.

The U20 world champions travel to The Rec to take on France in Round 2 (Friday 7 February, 20:00 GMT) and Italy in Round 4 (Friday 7 March, 19:45 GMT), with a meeting against Scotland set to take place at Kingston Park on Friday 21 February (19:15 GMT) in Round 3.

Tickets are on sale now!

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JOIN US FOR LA GRANDE NIGHT OUT!

Wearing the striking new Euro Kit, our La Grande Night Out will see the players take to the pitch in a huge occasion for the city as Bath hosts the opening night of Europe's elite rugby competition.

The city-wide initiative will see local businesses and club partners joining together to activate across the city, offering all Bath Rugby v Stade Rochelais for supporters.

Including an official after party at Walcot House's Bread & Jam and a stunning light exhibition at Bath Abbey, you won't want to miss a moment of our star-studded night in the City of Bath.

FIND OUT MORE AND CHECK OUT OUR DISCOUNTS!

TRY MR FILBERT'S

BATH RUGBY x TRUESPEED

Bath Rugby have agreed a new multi-year strategic partnership with Truespeed Communications as Official Broadband and Public Wi-Fi provider.

The deal will see the Bath-based broadband provider and Premiership Rugby Club offering free and improved ultrafast Wi-Fi for supporters as part of The Rec's enhanced Fan Village experience, along with joint community outreach programmes.

With the club's enhanced full-fibre connectivity and the additional Wi-Fi points from Truespeed, supporters can enjoy speeds of up to 300 Mbps around the stadium.

To deliver this experience, Bath Rugby and Truespeed have upgraded the connectivity to The Rec and installed an additional wireless network in the Fan Village to ensure seamless Wi-Fi.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP

BATH HALF MARATHON 2025 SIGN ME UP!

We look after you all the way with training tips, fundraising support, and lots more. And the best part is you'll be helping to change the lives of local vulnerable youngsters too.

Bath Rugby's Chief Executive, Tarquin McDonald, has run on behalf of Bath Rugby Foundation on numerous occasions and will be running again in 2025.

Of the cause, McDonald said: "Running the Bath Half is a special experience, joining thousands of other runners with amazing support lining the streets every step of the way cheering you on. I have enjoyed it so much I signed up again for 2025!

"I will be running for Bath Rugby Foundation. They look after you so well as a runner, supporting you in the build-up to race day with training tips. On race day they provide a dedicated space to change pre-race, they look after your bag and possessions, and they are there to welcome you whenever you finish with their own goodie bags and massages to help recover sore legs.

"In the centre of all that is this amazing charity, Bath Rugby Foundation, which literally changes young lives for the better. What more motivation could you need than raising money for this brilliant charity."

Choose to run for Bath Rugby Foundation and help change young lives across Bath.

All we ask is that you raise a further £250 on top of your entry and we will support you to reach your goal.

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BIG GIVE CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE TO CHANGE YOUNG LIVES

We can double our difference and change young lives during the Big Give Christmas Challenge from 3rd-10th December 2024.

Bath Rugby Foundation is calling on supporters to help raise £36,500 to support vulnerable young people in the city. As part of the Big Give Christmas Challenge, every pound donated will be doubled.

The Foundation builds confidence, develops life skills, and creates pathways to independence for children and young people, particularly those facing challenges such as learning disabilities, mental health struggles, and socio-economic disadvantages.

Supporters can start donating to the Bath Rugby Supporters’ Club holding page allowing their donations to be matched during the Big Give week.

DONATE HERE

ENJOY A PREMIUM MATCHDAY EXPERIENCE AT THE BLUE, BLACK AND WHITE CLUB

Combining delicious food and drinks with player and legend features, our matchday hospitality packages are perfect for celebrating special occasions or treating friends, family and clients, making your visit to Bath special.

We have a range of premium matchday experiences to make your visit to The Rec one to truly remember.

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BECOME A NEXTGEN JUNIOR 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 11, providing exclusive access to child-friendly content, unforgettable experiences and fantastic competitions.

BENEFITS OF NEXTGEN JUNIOR - YEARS MEMBERSHIP 24/25

A 96-hour priority ticket purchase window ahead of general sale.
Exclusive Bath Rugby junior membership welcome pack
Junior Monthly Newsletter
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Priority access to grassroot events
Exclusive Merchandise
Access to Matchday Members Zone at The Rec
Personalised birthday message
Win a chance to be a Matchday Mascot

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AN UPDATE FROM BATH RUGBBY SUPPORTERS' CLUB

From Nicola Curtis, BRSC Member

Hello and welcome back to The Rec! Although it has been lovely seeing Bath Rugby’s stars on the international stage and to have some time to focus on the Premiership Rugby Cup, it is undoubtedly exciting for us to return to the Gallagher Premiership today.

Going into the break from the Premiership, we sat at the top of the table. This is a testament to the transformation we have seen under Johann van Graan and the current team. As he says, ‘pressure is a privilege’ – if I ever become nervous because I am expectant of success, I remind myself of this. We expect great things, but the players have earnt that expectation over the last few years. Exeter Chiefs are struggling now in much the same way we did a few years ago, and that means they will be dangerous. I expect a real challenge today.

Following on from our first event of the season last month, where we gathered to meet the new players (including BRSC-sponsored Guy Pepper), we are planning the rest of our social calendar. Next up will be our annual charity quiz, where we will be raising money for the Bath Rugby Foundation. Details to follow soon.

After that is our ‘Ask the Ref’ evening with Head of Match Officials at EPCR, Tony Spreadbury. Tony’s explanation and interpretation of the laws of rugby is always as enlightening as it is entertaining and is one of our most popular events of the year for good reason. We’ll be sending out details to members soon on how to book.