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Fiery Bath baptism for van Graan as Premiership fixtures released

19 Jul 2022

(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

New Bath boss Johann van Graan will get an immediate taste of the hype surrounding the Gallagher Premiership as last season’s bottom place team will visit neighbours Bristol when the new 2022/23 season opens on September 9 at Ashton Gate. The South African has been recruited from Munster to try and revive the English club that continued to struggle during its recent years with Stuart Hooper as director of rugby – and he has now been handed an away day baptism of fire.

“The Premiership fixtures announcement always generates excitement amongst players, coaches, and supporters – I am sure everyone is looking forward to what lies ahead,” said van Graan, who was appointed incoming Bath boss last December.

“We are relishing the opportunity to open the season with a local derby before back-to-back home matches at The Rec where I know we will be well-supported. Before then, there is a lot of hard work to be done by everyone at the club and we will continue to build towards that first round.”

Eddie Jones explains the Danny Care substitute was completely tactical

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Eddie Jones explains the Danny Care substitute was completely tactical

It was three years ago when Bristol versus Bath was previously the opening fixture for a new Premiership season, more than 26,000 fans packing into Ashton Gate to see the Bears win 43-16, and Pat Lam can’t wait to get started this time around with van Grann now at the helm of the opposition.

“Kicking off the season against Bath is fantastic for both sets of supporters and we are really excited for another big night at Ashton Gate,” said Lam. “Our last two derbies on the opening night of the season have sold out, and we know our community will get behind us again on September 9. It’s a Friday night, live on BT Sport, and everyone at the club – staff, and players – are already relishing the occasion.”

Also on the opening night, it is fourth versus sixth from last season as Sale Sharks welcome Northampton Saints to Salford, while defending champions Leicester will open their title defence the following day away to Exeter. Beaten finalists Saracens have a bye in the opening round. Tigers boss Steve Borthwick said: “We are very excited for the new Gallagher Premiership Rugby season and the challenges that come with being a part of one of rugby’s most competitive leagues.

“Kicking off our campaign away from home against a quality outfit like Exeter Chiefs will be a great opportunity to test ourselves from the opening round against a side of their calibre, before being back at Mattioli Woods Welford Road with all of our supporters in the second round for an exciting clash with Newcastle Falcons.”

Gallagher Premiership Rugby Round One
Friday, September 9
Bristol Bears v Bath Rugby – BT Sport
Sale Sharks v Northampton Saints – PRTV Live

Saturday, September 10
Exeter Chiefs v Leicester Tigers – BT Sport
London Irish v Worcester Warriors – PRTV Live
Newcastle Falcons v Harlequins – PRTV Live

Sunday, September 11
Gloucester Rugby v Wasps – BT Sport

Gallagher Premiership Rugby Round Two
Friday, September 16
Northampton Saints v London Irish – BT Sport

Saturday, September 17
Bath Rugby v Sale Sharks – PRTV Live
Harlequins v Saracens – BT Sport
Leicester Tigers v Newcastle Falcon – PRTV Live
Wasps v Bristol Bears – PRTV Live

Sunday, September 18
Worcester Warriors v Exeter Chiefs – BT Sport

Click here to see all the Gallagher Premiership Rugby fixtures

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 5 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 5 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 5 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 5 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 5 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 5 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍