The year 2025 marked a seismic shift in the English rugby scene, with Bath Rugby finally reclaiming its spot at the pinnacle of the sport. Under the inspired leadership of Johann van Graan, Bath completed a historic treble—a feat that stands as a testament to resilience and renewal after nearly three decades of close calls and rebuilding.
Bath Rugby, once famously dominant during the amateur era when they were known as Bath FC, enjoyed unparalleled success from 1984 to 1996. A golden era was defined by unmatched consistency, particularly at Twickenham where they remained undefeated in ten cup finals. The club’s trophy cabinet overflowed with ten domestic cups and six league titles, including four coveted league-and-cup doubles. Further cementing their legacy, Bath captured the Heineken Cup in 1998, adding prestigious European glory to an already dazzling record.
However, the years that followed saw a decline. Bath claimed only one senior trophy—the European Challenge Cup in 2008—and frequently found themselves languishing in mid-table obscurity with rare playoff appearances. The nadir came in the 2021–22 season, when Bath finished bottom of the Premiership for the first time, enduring their worst defeat in club history.
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Fast forward three years, and Bath had reclaimed the throne as kings of English rugby. The date June 14, 2025, is forever etched in club lore. After topping the league for the first time in over two decades, Bath faced Leicester Tigers in a fiercely contested Premiership final at the Allianz Stadium. With the score tight, it was Finn Russell, the Premiership’s highest-paid playmaker, who showcased his class—intercepting a pass to set up Max Ojomoh’s crucial try. Despite a late Leicester surge, Bath held on to win 23–21, clinching their first league championship since 1996.
The celebrations spilled over into the city, as thousands of fans paraded through Milsom Street, a flowing river of blue, black, and white stretching from Pulteney Bridge to the Recreation Ground.
What made 2025 even more remarkable was the unprecedented “Triple Crown.” Before lifting the Premiership trophy, Bath had already secured two other major titles within just nine weeks:
- The Premiership Rugby Cup, won emphatically in the spring with a young squad beating Exeter Chiefs 48–14, securing Bath’s first silverware in 17 years.
- The EPCR Challenge Cup in Cardiff, where Bath outclassed Lyon 37–12. Thomas du Toit delivered a legendary performance with dominant scrummaging and a try that helped seal the victory.
As the year concludes, Bath sits third in the Premiership following a surprising home loss to Northampton Saints but leads their European Champions Cup group, poised for further success.
Off the pitch, progress continues. Bath has made significant strides in securing planning permission for a new 18,000-capacity stadium at the Recreation Ground, with construction slated to begin in 2027. The future looks as bright as the trophies now adorning the club’s history.