After a demanding Autumn Nations series and a brief interlude of domestic Premiership rugby, attention now shifts to Europe as the 2024/25 EPCR Investec Champions Cup begins on Friday night. The opening fixture promises excitement, with Bath, last season’s Premiership runners-up, hosting two-time European champions La Rochelle at The Rec.
Bath’s Excitement for the Challenge
Bath’s Director of Rugby, Johann van Graan, shared his enthusiasm ahead of the competition. Speaking from the team’s Farleigh training base, he expressed the team’s anticipation for the tournament.
“It’s fantastic to play in the opening game of this year’s Champions Cup, a competition I personally cherish,” he said. Reflecting on Bath’s legacy in the tournament, Van Graan recalled their performances last season, including victories over Ulster and Cardiff, and a notable effort against Toulouse, despite the loss.
Looking ahead to the new campaign, Van Graan acknowledged the quality of the opposition. “It doesn’t matter which pool you’re in; the competition is stacked with talent. La Rochelle, in particular, have established a special connection with this tournament. Watching their campaigns in recent years, you can’t help but admire their team and the culture they’ve built.”
Bath’s fixtures include challenges against Benetton, boasting a squad filled with Italian internationals like Tommaso Menoncello and Nacho Brex, as well as Clermont, who have started their Top 14 season strongly with impressive recruitment.
Van Graan emphasized the team’s mindset: “For us, it’s about enjoying the journey, playing with smiles on our faces, and putting in our best performances. This competition differs from the Premiership in terms of player management, so we’ll field our strongest available team on Friday and give it our all.”
A Forward-Focused Strategy
Facing a formidable La Rochelle side known for their size and power, Van Graan highlighted the importance of team selection and preparation. The French team’s pack includes giants like Uini Atonio, Will Skelton, and Grégory Alldritt, complemented by the skill of Jonathan Danty and Brice Dulin.
Van Graan emphasized the need for a balanced squad, particularly focusing on the impact of finishers to maintain intensity against La Rochelle’s physicality. He humorously suggested an “8-0” forward-heavy bench to counter their size, but noted the importance of sticking to Bath’s strengths.
“You can’t get too caught up worrying about things outside your control,” he said. “They’re an incredible team, almost like a World XV, but the focus has to remain on doing what we do best. They’ll have concerns about coming to The Rec, and rugby has a way of rewarding teams that trust their abilities and stay true to their game plan.”
He also spoke with respect for La Rochelle’s achievements: “They’re a great club with the right culture, a strong fan base, and a coach who has had personal success in Europe. Their recent performances in the Champions Cup have been outstanding. We respect them, but we’re excited for the challenge and ready to give it everything we’ve got.”
With Bath prepared to embrace the occasion and the crowd at The Rec adding to the atmosphere, the stage is set for an enthralling contest to kick off the Champions Cup.