Bath Rugby: Gallagher PREM 2026-27 Season Review

Bath Rugby faced a challenging season following their semi-final heartbreak against Exeter Chiefs last year. The team, led by head coach Johann van Graan, sought to bounce back after a surprising 27-26 home defeat in the playoff. Despite losing pivotal Springboks prop Thomas du Toit to the Sharks, Bath maintained one of the strongest squads in the Gallagher Premiership for the 2026-27 season.

The departure of du Toit posed a significant challenge, yet Bath had capable players like Will Stuart, Billy Sela, and Archie Griffin ready to step in and fill the void. As the campaign began, expectations remained high for the team, particularly with the return of veteran scrum-half Ben Spencer. At 34, Spencer was regarded as a key player, providing essential structure and intelligence both in attack and defense.

Ollie Lawrence emerged as a player to watch, eager to regain his place in the national squad after being overlooked in the summer tests. His performance in the upcoming season was viewed as crucial for his aspirations ahead of the Rugby World Cup next year.

The coaching dynamics also shifted as Bath saw the departures of attack coaches Lee Blackett and Martin Gleeson. Mike Prendergast was brought in from Munster as Bath’s fourth attack coach since van Graan took charge in July 2022.

Last season, Bath scored a remarkable 40% of their tries from first-phase plays—the highest percentage in the league. Heading into the 2026-27 season, the team aimed to build on this statistic as they launched their title assault. Bath Rugby had lofty predictions for a return to Twickenham, with aspirations of reclaiming their title from the previous season in what promised to be a competitive campaign.