BBC Sport Rugby Union: Bath’s Resurgence and the Glory Days of the 1990s
It’s been 28 years since Bath last won the Premiership, but as they prepare to march on Twickenham once again, the memories of their dominant era in the 1990s remain fresh. Back in 1996, when the club’s full-back Jon Callard wore the unusual number 16 jersey, Bath were the undisputed powerhouses of English rugby.
Under the leadership of Jack Rowell and Brian Ashton, Bath’s charismatic cast of players – Jeremy Guscott, Stuart Barnes, Gareth ‘Coochie’ Chilcott, and many more – swept all before them. Winning was addictive, and the players enjoyed the fruits of their labor both on and off the pitch.
“Jack always had a saying: ‘We’re going to train hard, we’re going to play hard and we’re going to party hard’,” Callard recalled. The club’s success was built on a strategic blend of talent, team spirit, and unwavering determination.
Bath’s dominance was reflected in their trophy haul, as they claimed four domestic cup doubles in the space of eight years, including their triumphant 1996 season. The cup competitions, in particular, were the highlight for the players and their supporters.
However, the club’s fortunes have since taken a sharp turn, with Bath waiting nearly three decades for their next league title. Callard, a Bath titan who scored over 2,000 points in a decade at full-back, believes the club lost its way in the professional era, as the focus shifted from the team environment to individual rewards.
“Bath got lost in professionalism. Maybe with money coming in, sometimes players forgot the value of the shirt,” Callard said.
But under the leadership of Johann van Graan, Bath have experienced a remarkable resurgence, going from the bottom of the Premiership to the grand final in just two seasons. Callard credits Van Graan’s coaching staff, including the additions of Lee Blackett and Richard Blaze, as crucial to the club’s revival.
As Bath fans prepare to descend on Twickenham in their thousands, the emotion and energy around The Rec is reminiscent of the glory days of the 1990s. The game may have moved on, but the club’s connection to its history and the unwavering support of the fans remain as strong as ever.
“The supporters aren’t just going to The Rec for a day out now,” Callard said. “They are going because the rugby is back to how it used to be. The emotion around The Rec is what it was like in ’96.”
It’s a testament to Bath’s resilience and the enduring appeal of their storied past that the city will once again be emptied as the faithful make the journey to Twickenham, hoping to witness the next chapter in the club’s illustrious history.
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