Bath: Ben Spencer claims ‘sky is the limit’ after securing historic treble
Ben Spencer (front left) with an inset of Johann van Graan (right)
Bath captain Ben Spencer has claimed “the sky is the limit” for his side after they clinched a famous domestic and European treble.
The Blue, Black and Whites powered their way to a first Premiership title in 29 years with a 23-21 win over Leicester Tigers at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, to go alongside their Premiership Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup titles already added to the trophy cabinet this season.
This is the first time an English side has ever won three trophies in one season since Leicester in 2001, and it comes just three years after Bath finished bottom of the Premiership table.
Sky’s the limit for Bath – Spencer
While the 2024/25 season might have only just reached its conclusion, in an enthralling showpiece at the home of English rugby, club captain Spencer is already daring to dream of a Blue, Black and White dynasty.
“The future of this club is unbelievably bright. No matter who pulls on a shirt, it’s the next man in, and I can’t speak highly enough of the guys coming through. Their work ethic is second to none,” he said.
“As long as we keep our feet on the floor, the sky is the limit.”
Spencer knows what it takes to build a period of dominance, too. The scrum-half won four Premierships and three Champions Cup titles during his stint with former club Saracens, but he feels this title with the West Country outfit is the best of his career to date.
“It’s right up there. The amount of hard work this has taken to turn this ship around, we were bottom of the league three years ago.
“From that point of view, I can’t credit to man next to me (Johann van Graan) enough. He’s been absolutely brilliant.
“If we keep our feet on the floor and know there’s always an opportunity to get better, then the sky is the limit.”
Squad effort
Bath are a squad littered with both international superstars and fledgling starlets. Ciaran Donoghue, an unused substitute in yesterday’s final, is the headline selection of academy graduates, but around him the likes of Arthur Green, Ewan Richards, Tyler Offiah, Kepu Tuipulotu and Vilikesa Sela have all tasted first team minutes this season across the three competitions.
“To the outside world, you won’t appreciate what the colour purple means to this group,” said head of rugby Johann van Graan.
“It’s easy to be in when you’re selected to start or on the bench, but the colour purple makes this group. When we got off the bus (before the final) everyone was wearing purple.
“We got better together, whether that’s Tom Dunn who’s played close to 300 games or Ben Spencer who in my view is close to being among the best nine’s in the world, whether you’re Ciaran Donoghue who’s broken into the group or Ruari McConniche who retires tonight, whether you’re the youngest or the oldest purple, it’s togetherness.
“That’s something that we created all together. That’s what will stay with me about this group.”
