Bath

One to watch: Butch James

Club Details

Recreation Ground
Bath
BA2 6PW

Stadium Capacity: 9,980 (7,800 seated)
Website: www.bathrugby.com
Founded: 1865

- 2008/9 season preview -

Skybet title odds - 6/1

Last time around: What an improvement on the year before! The brand of rugby played by Bath was arguably the best in the league with Matt Stevens and Lee Mears linking out wide with the finishing speed of Matt Banahan and Nick Abendanon. A joy to watch as eighth place in 2006/07 turned into third with the European Challenge Cup trophy to boot - top marks!

This time around? The loss of talismanic duo Olly Barkley and captain Steve Borthwick will obviously hurt the West Countrymen. However, if they can consistently maintain their form as they did last term then there's no reason why another top end finish is beyond them. There is also the small matter of Heineken Cup rugby to contend with as Steve Meehan's side raises the bar significantly from what was expected in the previous season.

Coach: On the back of Bath's finest season for many a year that saw them lift a trophy along with a top-three finish, Steve Meehan must surely take the majority of the plaudits with one to fifteen now expected to possess the complete game. Although he will be without Steve Borthwick and Olly Barkley, one expects another solid campaign from his charges with good foundations on which to build.

One to watch: Butch James' arrival last season brought a new dimension to Bath's top class game with fellow South African Michael Claassens also thriving alongside at half-back. However, with Olly Barkley moving to Gloucester, James will be without his centre foil and is also likely to take over the kicking duties - a job he proved he can do in the summer and Tri-Nations Tests.

In: Stuart Hooper (Leeds), Justin Harrison (Ulster), Shontayne Hape (Bradford Bulls), Scott Bemand (Leicester).

Out: Steve Borthwick (Saracens), Olly Barkley (Bath), Nick Walshe (Bedford coach), Isaac Feaunati (retired), Luke Cozens (Bridgwater and Albion - loan)

PR Prediction: 7th