Tag Archives: bath rugby news

Bath’s aspirations for this season and Wales’ 2017 Six Nations hopes have taken a massive blow, as Todd Blackadder today confirmed that Taulupe Faletau is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The Bath director of rugby told BBC Sport Wales that Faletau will be out for a minimum of 12 weeks thanks to a knee injury that he …

Some incriminating footage from Bath’s clash with Benetton has just surfaced on Twitter and it doesn’t look very good for South African flanker, Francois Louw. Bath kicked off their Champions Cup campaign with a 23-0 victory over Benetton on Saturday. However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the English side as they struggled against a gritty and determined Italian outfit …

Regular Pundit Arena columnist Max Lahiff takes us through the ups and downs of a typical Monday in the life of a professional rugby player.  What Monday morning really comes down to is the review meetings. Rugby, or any team sport in fact, is funny because unlike any other profession your work is entirely transparent, and it’s rather galling sometimes …

With the Six Nations set to begin in a little under two weeks, coaches and players have met with the media and discussed the new tackle laws. Rory Best told ESPN Scrum‘s Tom Hamilton how he believes the new tackle laws will impact on the matches during the Six Nations. Best stated that it has always been in the laws of …

Europe’s top rugby clubs have been put on notice following the news that English Premiership side Bath have given George Ford permission to leave at the end of the season. Ford is one of the world’s most promising out-halves and is a crucial member of Eddie Jones’ England squad. Competing with Owen Farrell for the coveted starting jersey, Ford has …

With the George Ford rumours persisting to remain in the media lately, it is hard to ignore the fact that with every week that passes the worst case scenario of a Ford exit remains for Bath supporters. Ford, rumoured to be unhappy with Bath following the sacking of his father at the end of last season, has been linked with …

In his latest exclusive column for Pundit Arena, Max Lahiff talks through a typical Monday morning at Bath Rugby and how much of the mood is based on whether the team has won, drawn or lost at the weekend. Monday morning, a glorious new beginning or monotonous slog… it’s all perspective I suppose. As a pro rugby player the only …

In a busy morning on the transfers front, Bath Rugby on Tuesday confirmed the signing of centre Robbie Fruean from Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand and tighthead prop Shaun Knight on loan from Newport Gwent Dragons.  Fruean, who will join at the completion of the Mitre 10 Cup competition in New Zealand, is a strong ball carrier with a highlight reel …

After England’s successful tour of Australia in the summer, the Aviva Premiership got back underway last weekend and we’ve rated the top English performers (including England qualified) from the opening round of League action – with one eye on the upcoming November’s Test matches. 1. Mako Vunipola – Saracens Vunipola gave another impressive performance in a game where Saracens struggled to make …

Just twelve minutes into his competitive debut for Bath, Taulupe Faletau suffered an injury that could keep him out of the black, white and blue jersey for some time. Before the game fans from all over the country were licking their lips at the prospect of the battle between French number eight and pure powerhouse Louis Picamoles and the consistent, …

Bath were poetic in 2014-15. In 2015-16, in contrast, they were pathetic. From second in the Aviva Premiership one year to ninth the next was some fall from grace for the West Country rugby club. This year, Bath could finish anywhere between second and sixth, but the smart money is on fifth. Big changes were needed in the close season …

Many Bath fans will have welcomed the appointment of Todd Blackadder from the Crusaders as director of rugby at the west country club after a lengthy and protracted selection process. Blackadder is a proven operator, having been in charge of the Super Rugby franchise since 2009, leading them to two finals in that time, albeit without winning either of them. …

Despite finishing the season as losing finalists in last year’s Aviva Premiership, Bath has seemed out of sorts, out of ideas and at times out of control. What has happened to a team that looked like it would go on to build a new legacy in its already vibrant history? Having been one of the dominant clubs of the first …

Annus horriblis doesn’t quite do justice to what has been a truly grim campaign for Bath. The club are so hungry for a return to the increasingly sepia glory days of yesteryear and after they reached last year’s Premiership final, a trophy at last felt within touching distance. A year on however, Bath won’t be at Twickenham. Nor will they be …