Bath Enter New Premiership Rugby Season Seeking Response After Semi-Final Exit
The short version
- Bath were beaten at home by Exeter in last season's Premiership Rugby semi-finals
- No team has successfully defended the Premiership title since Saracens in 2019
- A Rugby World Cup takes place at the end of the 2026-27 campaign
- Dan du Preez has joined Bath, while Thomas du Toit has returned to South Africa
- Will Stuart returns from a long-term Achilles injury
The 2025 champions open the new Premiership Rugby campaign looking to make amends after losing at home to Exeter in last season's semi-finals.
Bath head into the new Premiership Rugby season aiming to bounce back after Exeter defeated them at home in last season's semi-finals. The 2025 champions had hoped to reach the final at Twickenham but fell short in the playoffs.
Successfully defending the Premiership title has proven difficult in recent years. No team has managed it since Saracens in 2019, adding to the challenge facing Johann van Graan's squad this campaign.
A Rugby World Cup sits at the end of the season, and several Bath players have additional motivation to impress England head coach Steve Borthwick. Centres Ollie Lawrence and Max Ojomoh and back-rower Ted Hill are among those with international ambitions.
Bath have made limited additions in recruitment, with Dan du Preez arriving to bolster the forward pack. The departure of Thomas du Toit, who has returned to South Africa, is a significant loss, though Will Stuart is back after a long absence with an Achilles injury.
The Rec is set to undergo refurbishment, meaning Bath would give up a home semi-final if they finish in the top two of the regular season. That factor could work against them, but the squad is still expected to contend.