AND SO IT BEGINS…PERPIGNAN v BATH
Du Preez: strong
By Devonport Lad
August 25 2026
JRR Tolkien didn’t actually pen those words in Lord of the Rings, rather Peter Jackson’s scriptwriters gave them to Théoden to utter at the start of the Battle of Helm’s Deep. Since then, the phrase has found its way into popular usage signifying the start of some challenging task. Bath Rugby won’t be facing hordes of Orcs, although on second thoughts we could all probably name a few of our rivals who fall into that category, but change is always challenging. Depending on how you deal with it you may either expose weaknesses and succumb to threats or preferably you might exploit it to reinforce strengths and grasp opportunities. So how are we placed to meet the challenges that the new season will bring?
The choice of opponents for our pre-season games hints strongly that not only is JvG still aiming to win the Prem but also that he feels that we have unfinished business in Europe. Last season we fell just short in both competitions when we had looked very strong for much of the year. As supporters it felt that the defeat to Bordeaux, with all its attendant controversy, knocked some of the stuffing out of us and we were never fully "on it" in the last few games when it really mattered in the Prem. So, how are we looking as we start the 26/27 campaign with a testing pre-season fixture against USA Perpignan at Stade Aimé Giral?
In recent seasons we've very successfully executed a forward-heavy gameplan together with a kick-chase system relying on arial agility to retain and exploit good ball. That may have to change this season. We no longer have Thomas du Toit and Francois van Wyk up front or Alfie Barbeary at 8. On the face of it those are significant weaknesses, but if Will Stuart and Jaco Coetzee return to the fold fully fit and firing then those are players that other clubs would cast envious glances at. New signing Dan du Preez is a strong ball carrier in his own right and Jamie Bhattie looks like a much-improved player and will do a good job for us in partnership with Beno on the loosehead side of the scrum. You simply can't replace TdT, but I think we'll still have a forward pack to achieve parity with the competition.
That said, having looked at the way other teams, notably Northampton, have evolved their gameplans, it may well be that we see more use made of our incredibly talented backs this year with more of a ball in hand game and the likes of Henry Arundell and Joe Cokanasiga cutting loose and frightening defences. One of the strengths that we can exploit is the retention of the coaching team, bolstered by the arrival of Backs and Attack coach Mike Prendergast who, hopefully, will bring a freshness to our attack that many of us felt was missing after the departure of Lee Blackett.
One of our other strengths is our incredible depth of young talent. I expect this season to be something of a transition year with the likes of Vilikesa Sela, Kepu Tuipulotu, Arthur Green and other "young guns" in a number of positions pushing senior players very hard and winning themselves more game time. We looked a bit predictable towards the end of last season but given the experience of our coaches and the plethora of talent that they have to work with, I think we could be in for an exciting season.
It will be interesting to see how we approach the squad selection for the game against Perpignan. They finished last season near the bottom of the league, but any team in the French Top 14 is going to pose a significant challenge. They had a mixed bag of results towards the end of 25/26 but JvG will have noted that they ran European Champions UBB very close in their penultimate game. They also showed that they have the temperament to win “clutch” matches, ensuring Top 14 survival with a dominant win against Pro D2 runners up Provence in the winner takes all promotion / relegation playoff match. Their season starts in earnest the following weekend with a tough away match against Stade Francais. With that in mind, you would imagine that they will field something like their strongest side which includes some international quality New Zealanders, Argentinians and Fijians as well as home grown French talent, for at least part of the game.
On the other hand, you could argue that it's something of a "phoney war" for Bath. The Prem doesn’t start until 25th September and our first competitive fixture is the Premiership Rugby Cup Round 1 away against the Sharks on 6 September. We then follow that with two more pre-season fixtures against Bedford and Glasgow before getting down to business in the Prem against Quins. With that in mind, I don’t think we'll see too many of our likely Prem squad in action against Perpignan. The priority will be for the PRC squad to get cohesive game time together, although I'm sure JvG will take the opportunity to give some of the players returning from injury some minutes. Of course, I could be wrong - the rules about the number of players that you can field in this sort of game are pretty relaxed and in the past we've fielded virtually a different team in each half!
That's not to say that we won't be competitive; JvG will want to lay down an early marker for the style of play for the season and it will be interesting to see how our pack goes against a tough bunch of Perpignan forwards. JvG will ramp up the intensity, but I think it will be the Glasgow game before we get a true feel for the likely Prem "gun" squad and the style of play for this season.
I started this preview with a Lord of the Rings reference so I'll end with another one; the Chapter entitled "Many Partings". The end of this season will see the last rugby played at the Rec as we know it. Yes, it will be great to have the new stadium but many of us will feel an emotional attachment to that grand old ground with all its flaws, but change is an opportunity to be grasped both on and off the pitch. I'm confident that we're in a good place to embrace the challenges, and look forward to an exciting season, starting in Perpignan.
COYB
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:08:26:17:01:42 by P G Tips.
I wonder if we will see a "hybrid" selection? There would be merit in starting Bhatti & Du Preez to integrate them early. Stuart & Coetzee probably need an early runout too.
Otherwise, I think I agree - a largely PRC selection may get the shout.
PG
Also he seems to have a high regard for Bhatti
It has got me thinking, I should be going to Perpignan!!
Bath Rugby: 1 Scott Kirk, 2 Jasper Spander, 3 Kieran Verden, 4 Will Jeanes, 5 Ewan Richards (c), 6 Jack Bennett, 7 George Timmins, 8 Arthur Green, 9 Ieuan Davies, 10 Ciaran Donoghue, 11 Austin Emens, 12 Will Roue, 13 Jack Harrison, 14 Charlie Griffin, 15 Jack Woods
Rolling replacements (alphabetical): Henry Arundell, Tom Carr-Smith, Dan du Preez, Ioan Emanuel, Dan Frost, Alfie Griffin, James Linegar, Isaac Mears, James Maloney, Ross Molony, Max Pearce, Miles Reid, Quinn Roux, Declan Treacey, Kepueli Tuipulotu, Harry Walker, Claudius Wheeler
PG
(The club and us are awaiting any news if this will be streamed)
Quote:Great thank you.Devonport Lad
dcsh, Over on Facebook, Rich Knight who is well informed about this things has recently posted;
(The club and us are awaiting any news if this will be streamed)
Quote:Devonport Lad
dcsh, Over on Facebook, Rich Knight who is well informed about this things has recently posted;
(The club and us are awaiting any news if this will be streamed)
On Youtube: [youtube.com]
Probably in French!
PG
Quote:Excellent!P G TipsQuote:Devonport Lad
dcsh, Over on Facebook, Rich Knight who is well informed about this things has recently posted;
(The club and us are awaiting any news if this will be streamed)
On Youtube: [youtube.com]
Probably in French!
PG
PG
Donoghue with the extras
0-7 at 13 minutes
5-7
5-14 at 23 mins
12-14 at 29 mins
17-14
22-14 at 32 mins
29-14
29-21 HT
Can't draw too much from a second string team, but it's been very underwhelming. Perpignan playing much better rugby.
But from the glimpses I've seen of the second half, we've been schooled for 20+ minutes
53-35, at 70 mins
53-42 with 5 to go
53-42 full time.
too many silly offsides.
Some lineout woes still.
Some good stuff.
Donoghue oozes class
Quote:hasta
Well... Not great so far second half. 41-21 and one way traffic. Scrum terrible. Passing, particularly from 9, not accurate enough.
Can't draw too much from a second string team, but it's been very underwhelming. Perpignan playing much better rugby.
But this is not a competitive game, it a friendly to give our young players an opportunity to show what they can do. Both 9 are very early in their careers and it exposes them to totally different opposition. There were 4 different half backs aged 18, 19, 21 and 23. Thats a bit unrealistic.
My view of the game was:
We now have an embarrassment of riches at 15, Jack Woods was dangerous in attack but also more assured in defence, with Sam Winters in the mix as well to go with TdG and Santi and even Henry Arundell we are stacked.
Will Roue put in some devastating tackles at 12 but didn’t get a chance to shine in attack.
Ieuan Davis had a solid game box kicking a bit long but there was no kick chase but Isaac Mears has a quicker pass both 9’s served the backs well but not a threat in their own right yet. Both are still very new at their positions.
Austin Emens doesn’t always look secure fielding the ball but he certainly has a try scoring habit.
Ciarran Donnoghue put in some outstanding last ditch tackles against big forwards tonight and Kicked impressively off the tee. Out of hand kicking a bit predictable, still has an eye for the break. Ahead of Santi at 10 for me.
Will Jeanes had a decent game but I’ve no idea what out ploys were in the lineout.
There were some big holes in defence tonight with lots of jumping out of the line creating dog legs but to be expected with so many changes. Not a proper game with some improvisation but I hope the team v Quins is more unified in defence. Kepu is cleary ready for first team action whenever he is needed.
Is Luke Charteris still the lineout coach? Its definitely something that needs sorting - it doesn't seem to matter who is in the team.
[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]
PG
Did anyone see where Tom Carr-Smith was playing as in clips he's on the same time as Mears so assume he was on the Wing and just getting game time. Unless its making him more of a utility bench option as think before it was suggested he could cover wing.
Seeing comments about Will Jeanes wonder if he could be a genuine bench option this season for PREM ahead of Maloney. Seems to be progressing and physical enforcer type.
Will be interesting to see how much the starting team changes for the PREM Cup match on Sunday 6th September.
Quote:P G Tips
I think it is Richard Blaze for the first team, Charteris for Academy.
PG
Charteris share his time between the Academy and Bath Uni, what is strange is the Uni has a very decent lineout, weird eh!
Quote:Tlacey90
Match highlights only shows Bath's tries though - [www.youtube.com]
Did anyone see where Tom Carr-Smith was playing as in clips he's on the same time as Mears so assume he was on the Wing and just getting game time. Unless its making him more of a utility bench option as think before it was suggested he could cover wing.
Yes, they swapped one on the pitch for a while. Also had Dan Frost at 7 for the second time, perfectly acceptable back row but we are not exactly short in that position.
Quote:shipwrecked
There were some big holes in defence tonight with lots of jumping out of the line creating dog legs but to be expected
Out of interest - is that really much of an excuse? Surely, if you're in new combinations, you stick to the basics, which to my mind would be keeping a fairly square-on line and focusing on 1-on-1 tackles, not jumping out trying to make spectacular hits. Think if I was coaching them, I'd be a bit irritated.
Quote:OptimistQuote:shipwrecked
There were some big holes in defence tonight with lots of jumping out of the line creating dog legs but to be expected
Out of interest - is that really much of an excuse? Surely, if you're in new combinations, you stick to the basics, which to my mind would be keeping a fairly square-on line and focusing on 1-on-1 tackles, not jumping out trying to make spectacular hits. Think if I was coaching them, I'd be a bit irritated.
I agree Opti but in a game where players are trying to make an impression it might be inevitable, on a couple of occasions, it was because players had quicker line speed, (Ewan Richards). Can't help if the guy next to you changes every 10 minutes but yes, it should be a universal defensive attitude. through the squad.
Quote:BathMatt53
Is Luke Charteris still the lineout coach? Its definitely something that needs sorting - it doesn't seem to matter who is in the team.
The lineout has been mostly shambolic for years and shown no signs of improving. It's really not that difficult is it? Throw the ball to one of your own team mates.
Fortunately pretty much everything else on the pitch is very good so we can often gloss over the problems at lineout.
Quote:OutsideBath
It's really not that difficult is it? Throw the ball to one of your own team mates.
Haha if only!
[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]
Quote:shipwreckedQuote:hasta
Well... Not great so far second half. 41-21 and one way traffic. Scrum terrible. Passing, particularly from 9, not accurate enough.
Can't draw too much from a second string team, but it's been very underwhelming. Perpignan playing much better rugby.
But this is not a competitive game, it a friendly to give our young players an opportunity to show what they can do. Both 9 are very early in their careers and it exposes them to totally different opposition. There were 4 different half backs aged 18, 19, 21 and 23. Thats a bit unrealistic.
I'm not saying it wasn't explicable, but there was almost zero attacking fluency and the passing from 9 almost always checked the runner or was too slow.
Quote:hasta
I'm not saying it wasn't explicable, but there was almost zero attacking fluency and the passing from 9 almost always checked the runner or was too slow.
The try from the 15 up the left side that took it to about 14-5 off first phase was excellent from the 9 (and all the backs really). All passes in front of the player and the little double pump dummy up the touchline totally wrong footed the french players.
[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]
Quote:shipwreckedQuote:hasta
Well... Not great so far second half. 41-21 and one way traffic. Scrum terrible. Passing, particularly from 9, not accurate enough.
Can't draw too much from a second string team, but it's been very underwhelming. Perpignan playing much better rugby.
Will Roue put in some devastating tackles at 12 but didn’t get a chance to shine in attack.
I've never seen him 'live' only via highlights. Is he more towards the Owen Farrell end of 10/12 types then? I don't recall him look slight but didn't expect his defence to be described in those terms either
Quote:theredseatQuote:shipwreckedQuote:hasta
Well... Not great so far second half. 41-21 and one way traffic. Scrum terrible. Passing, particularly from 9, not accurate enough.
Can't draw too much from a second string team, but it's been very underwhelming. Perpignan playing much better rugby.
Will Roue put in some devastating tackles at 12 but didn’t get a chance to shine in attack.
I've never seen him 'live' only via highlights. Is he more towards the Owen Farrell end of 10/12 types then? I don't recall him look slight but didn't expect his defence to be described in those terms either
5'11" and 14 stone so not massive, to describe him as Farrell like to me means a 90% should tackle 10% arm upright tacker. He is not like that at all. Targets midriff but not at all passive in the tackle goes for a positive hit so rarely losses ground. He is the kind of player that you give the ball to when its all going wrong!
A cool customer at 10 but moved to 12 to accommodate James Linegar in the Uni side who is now about the same size but just doesn't seem so robust.
Tends to be an enabler with strike players attacking off him. Tends to be a bit of a wise head which is a bit strange as I think he is only 22.
Certainly kicks like Owen Farrell.
BUCS video here
Quote:Dorset Boy
Jack Bennett is a big lad
Unit isn't he.
Played 6 for eng u18s and was 6 here wasn't he? But listed as a lock on the offy.
Anyone else where you though ' jeeze they have been in the gym over the summer'?
Only caught the 10 min highlights but richards looks like he has hit the weights big time the last few off seasons.
Quote:shipwrecked
Jeanes perhaps but gym I'm not sure just seems a natural bulking up. The only thing with WJ is he is to the fastest round the pitch!
Guess if he was paired with someone like Richards, plus when you have hill at 6 who are both absurdly athletic it's less of an issue.