Bath player ratings: In tough conditions at The Rec, Bath battled bravely but ultimately fell to a disappointing 24-20 Investec Champions Cup defeat to La Rochelle.
Ronan O'Gara has laid to rest any concerns that he may rest some of his La Rochelle stars for their opening match of the Investec Champions Cup by naming a formidable outfit to run out at Bath's Rec on Friday.
Former referee Jaco Peyper will oversee a new 'elite' referees panel created by SA Rugby to help South African officials to make the step up to international level.
The ballad of Archie Griffin and the sorry state of the four regions underscore the need for a revamp across the Welsh game.
Cardiff lock Teddy Williams has been called into Wales' squad to replace Ben Carter, who has been released after suffering a knee injury in training.
Two Bath recruits, loosehead prop Francois van Wyk and flanker Guy Pepper, are poised to make their debuts on Friday against Northampton Saints after being named on the bench by Johann van Graan.
The Welsh went down 14-16 at Twickenham on February 10, their second consecutive loss in this year’s tournament.
Bath Head of Rugby Johaan van Graan has hailed the “phenomenal” form of Beno Obano who is being backed to make his England return in the upcoming Guinness Six Nations.
While most of the focus is currently on the Rugby World Cup in France, the 2023/24 BKT United Rugby Championship season gets under way this weekend.
Leinster's big win on Saturday did not quell Scarlets as they kept pace in the Pro14, while Benetton Treviso's promising form was ended.
