Bath Rugby emphatically announced their intentions for the 2025/26 Gallagher Premiership season with a commanding 47-31 victory over Harlequins at The Twickenham Stoop. Head coach Johann van Graan expressed satisfaction with his side’s performance, stating, “I’ll take 47 points on the opening night,” highlighting their powerful second-half surge that secured five crucial points on the road.
In a league known for its competitive parity—with six different champions in the last six seasons—Bath’s dominant display sets them apart as strong contenders for this year’s title. Their 47-point haul is the highest ever recorded by the club on West London soil, underscoring their attacking prowess.
Harlequins drew first blood within two minutes, as flanker Will Evans scored the opening try, marking the beginning of his first-half hat-trick and placing him at the top of the Premiership try-scoring charts. However, Bath’s forwards responded with relentless physicality. All three starting front row players—Tom Dunn, Billy Sela, and Beno Obano—crossed the try line, with Obano’s score punctuated by a blistering break from new signing Henry Arundell.
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Arundell, adapting quickly to his new club, showcased his speed and finishing skills by scoring two tries, including one following a spectacular long-range pass from makeshift fly-half Max Ojomoh. Bath’s forward pack continued to dominate, laying the groundwork for the team’s unbeaten momentum in the second half.
Despite the departure of attack coach Lee Blackett to England’s national setup, Bath’s game plan remained straightforward yet effective. Their final two tries of the night came through sheer power, finished off emphatically by Welsh international prop Archie Griffin and England flanker Sam Underhill, who executed their duties with precision as part of the team’s ‘bomb squad’.
While late tries from Harlequins' Jack Kenningham and Tyrone Green added respectability to the home team’s scoreline, Bath’s defense—with some frustration visible from defence coach JP Ferreira—held firm when it mattered most.
Reflecting on the match, van Graan said, “The thing that pleases me most is the victory, the second half display, and getting five points on the road. We faced huge pressure in the first half. Quins attacked well off their set piece, but starting the second half with a try gave us momentum. Our impact players from the bench made a big difference, and we closed out the game strongly."
Now buoyed by this strong start, Bath will turn their focus to their next challenge against Sale Sharks, who secured a 27-10 victory over Gloucester in the league’s opening fixture on Thursday night.
Match Details:
Harlequins Starting XV: Tyrone Green (15), Nick David (14), Oscar Beard (13), Sean Kerr (12), Cadan Murley (11), Jarrod Evans (10), Will Porter (9), Fin Baxter (1), Jack Walker (2), Harry Williams (3), Chandler Cunningham-South (4), Kieran Treadwell (5), Jack Kenningham (6), Will Evans (7), Alex Dombrandt (c) (8)
Harlequins Replacements: George Turner (16), Jordan Els (17), Ollie Streeter (18), Jonny Green (19), Zach Carr (20), Max Green (21), Ludo Kolade (22), Cameron Anderson (23)
Bath Rugby Starting XV: Tom de Glanville (15), Joe Cokanasiga (14), Ollie Lawrence (13), Cameron Redpath (12), Henry Arundell (11), Max Ojomoh (10), Ben Spencer (c) (9), Beno Obano (1), Tom Dunn (2), Vilikesa Sela (3), Quinn Roux (4), Charlie Ewels (5), Josh Bayliss (6), Guy Pepper (7), Miles Reid (8)
Bath Rugby Replacements: Kepueli Tuipulotu (16), Francois van Wyk (17), Archie Griffin (18), Ross Molony (19), Ted Hill (20), Tom Carr-Smith (21), Chris Harris (22), Sam Underhill (23)
Match Officials: Referee – Karl Dickson, Assistant Referees – Richard Gordon and Simon Harding, TMO – Stuart Terheege