A year ago, Bath Rugby entered the new campaign as the reigning Premiership, Premiership Cup, and Challenge Cup champions, riding high on success and expectation. However, the 2025/26 season saw them fall short in three semi-finals, leaving both the team and supporters eager for improvement.
Bath centre Cameron Redpath has been candid about the challenges faced last season. “I don’t think anyone was as good as they probably should have been last season,” he admitted. Now, as Bath prepares to return to competition, Redpath is determined to set higher standards for both himself and the team.
“Right now, as a team, we’re working hard during pre-season. We have a clear understanding of where we need to be and what we must do to succeed,” Redpath explained ahead of the new campaign.
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Bath Rugby once again boast one of the strongest squads in the league, making competition for starting positions fierce. Redpath acknowledges his own need to elevate his performance. “Personally, I felt I was just a bit off where I wanted to be last year. That’s reflected in not earning any Scotland caps and spending some time on the bench towards the end of the season, which isn’t what anyone wants. With such a large squad and intense competition, I need to buckle down and get back to my best,” he said.
The pain of last season’s losses, including a surprising home defeat to Exeter Chiefs in the Premiership, remains a motivator. Still, Redpath stresses the importance of moving forward. “We have to shift focus from last year’s disappointments and concentrate on personal accountability rather than dwelling on what happened,” he said.
Looking ahead, Bath Rugby will contest not only the Premiership but also the Premiership Cup and the European Champions Cup. “You’d be foolish not to aim hard for the Champions Cup,” Redpath remarked. “The Premiership Cup is also significant, especially as it gives many young academy players a chance to gain experience, making it a true squad effort.”
Nevertheless, Redpath sees winning the Premiership as the team’s primary goal. “Securing the Premiership should be our priority because without it, success in the other tournaments is unlikely,” he added.
Bath’s campaign will commence with the Premiership Cup away match against Sale Sharks on Sunday, 6 September. This will be followed by pre-season friendlies away to Bedford Blues and Glasgow Warriors, both held on the road.
The league season kicks off on Friday, 25 September, with an away fixture at Harlequins. Bath will then return to the Recreation Ground for a highly anticipated rematch against Exeter Chiefs, echoing last season’s Premiership semi-final.
Speaking about the upcoming home clash, Redpath said, “Playing at home is always exciting because of our incredible fan base and the fantastic city we represent. On the lead-up to the game, there will be personal challenges that feed into the team effort, making it a compelling rematch.”
This season promises to test Bath Rugby over a lengthy campaign, but with a stacked squad and players like Cameron Redpath committed to raising their standards, the team is well-placed to challenge for silverware once again.