Our opponents arrive at the Salford Stadium six points clear at the top of the Gallagher Premiership and, in the eyes of many, the favourites to walk away with the title in June.
Packed with homegrown talent and international stars like Scotland’s Finn Russell, England’s Ben Spencer and Ollie Lawrence and Springbok powerhouse Thomas du Toit, Bath have picked up eight wins in their ten game so far, with their only defeats coming at home to Bristol in October and away to champions Northampton earlier this month.
It’s been a remarkable rise for Johann van Graan’s side since the South African took the reigns in 2022. The 44-year-old began his coaching career at the Blue Bulls, before becoming the Sprinkboks forwards coach and the Munster head coach in 2017.
During his time with the Irish province he steered them to two Champions Cup semi-finals, three leaguer semi-finals and a Pro14 final.
Under van Graan’s leadership Bath have gone from an 8th place finish in the Premiership in 2022/23, to narrowly missing out on the title in a nailbiting final in 2023/24.
Last year Bath announced that van Graan had signed a new contract committing him to the club until the summer of 2030.
Players to watch
Finn Russell
Scottish superstar Finn Russell began his professional career at Glasgow Warriors in 2012, and made his debut on February 10, 2013, against Zebre in the Pro12. Then Glasgow Head Coach, Gregor Townsend, offered Russell a full-time contract for the 2014–15 season, during which he played a significant role in Glasgow’s Pro12 title triumph, including scoring 22 points in a crucial match against Ulster and contributing to the team’s victory over Munster in the final.
In November 2017, it was announced that Russell would leave Glasgow Warriors at the end of the 2017–18 season to join French club Racing 92, where he replaced All Black Dan Carter at fly-half. During his time with Racing 92, Russell continued to showcase his playmaking abilities, becoming a key player for the team.
Russell made his international debut for Scotland in 2014 during the summer tour of North America, playing against the United States and Canada. Russell was part of Scotland’s squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, where he scored a try in the opening match against Japan.
he also played in three of Scotland’s group matches at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, scoring a try against Japan.
Russell has been a part of two Lions squads. He was called up as a replacement for the 2017 tour to New Zealand, making his debut in a mid-week match against the Hurricanes, and in 2021, he was selected for the Lions’ tour to South Africa, where he played a crucial role in the decisive third Test match, kicking 11 points and earning widespread praise for his performance.
In December 2022, it was announced that Russell would join Bath Rugby after the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Thomas du Toit
Thomas du Toit, known by his nickname “The Tank,” is a South African rugby union player renowned for his versatility with the ability to operate on both sides of the scrum.
Du Toit began his rugby career at a young age, representing Boland at the Under-13 Craven Week in 2008, and later Western Province at the Under-16 Grant Khomo Week in 2011 and Under-18 Craven Week in 2013. During his school years at Paarl Boys’ High School, he captained the first team and was selected for the South African Schools side in 2013, where he participated in victorious matches against England, France, and Wales.
In 2014, Du Toit moved to Durban to join the Sharks academy. That same year, he was included in the South Africa Under-20 team for the IRB Junior World Championship. The following year, he toured with the South Africa Under-20 squad in Argentina and competed in the World Rugby Under 20 Championship, where he helped the team secure third place.
Du Toit’s senior club career began with the Sharks in the 2014 Vodacom Cup season, where he made an immediate impact by scoring a try on his debut. He made his Super Rugby debut with the Sharks later that year. In 2016, Du Toit briefly joined Munster in the Pro14, debuting in a dominant win against Benetton.
In March 2023, Du Toit signed with Bath Rugby, officially joining the team after the 2023 Rugby World Cup. He made his debut for Bath in November 2023.
On the international stage, Du Toit has represented South Africa in various capacities. He played for the South Africa ‘A’ team in 2016 and captained the side in matches against Munster and Bristol Bears in 2022. Initially, Du Toit was not named in South Africa’s 2019 Rugby World Cup squad but was called up during the pool stage to replace the injured Trevor Nyakane. South Africa went on to win the tournament, defeating England in the final. Du Toit also participated in the Rugby Championship in 2023.
