Defending Premiership Rugby Cup champions Bath Rugby have been drawn into Pool A for the 2025/26 season of the restructured competition. This year’s tournament will feature only top-tier English clubs, with Championship teams excluded.
Bath secured the 2024/25 Premiership Rugby Cup by defeating Exeter Chiefs in the final, marking the first of three trophies won by the revitalized West Country side last season.
The pool stages will span 10 weekends, mainly scheduled during international windows in the Autumn and Six Nations, with each team granted two bye weeks to allow player rest. Bath’s opponents in Pool A include West Country rivals Bristol Bears, Gloucester Rugby, Exeter Chiefs, as well as Sale Sharks.
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Bath will begin the competition after a bye in the opening weekend’s pre-season block. Head of Rugby Johann van Graan has arranged a pre-season friendly against Munster on Friday, September 12, following their season opener against Glasgow Warriors on Saturday, September 6. On September 20, Bath United will travel to face Worcester Warriors, while Bath’s first Premiership Rugby Cup pool match occurs the same day, hosting Exeter Chiefs at the Recreation Ground.