Van Graan guides Bath to Champions Cup

It may have gone unnoticed in all the rugby playoff news from the past weekend but former Springbok assistant coach Johann van Graan performed a minor miracle by snatching the last European Champions’ Cup place with a rousing win over a second-string Saracens side this past weekend.

Van Graan, who coaches Bath in the Premiership, took over the side at the beginning of the season when they were stone last and in danger of relegation and despite some setbacks during the year, finished strong with four consecutive wins over Sarries, Harlequins, Exeter and Gloucester to come from behind and quite astoundingly grab that final spot.

With three more wins than the previous season and five spots above where they were, there has been an uptick in form for the club.

Going into the final round Bristol Bears beat Gloucester to finish tied with Bath for the final spot, but the massive win over the second-string Saracens side was worth its weight in gold as Bath surged into the final Champions’ Cup spot.

And with some big name signings coming next season, including Sharks prop Thomas du Toit and Scottish whizzkid Finn Russell coming in, the future is looking brighter for Van Graan and his club.

TURNAROUND

Bath still have some way to go to compete with the big guns in the Premiership, but it is clear Van Graan’s arrival has turned things around for them and put them on an upward curve.

"I am so glad for the people of Bath,” Van Graan said after the win over Saracens.

“To get that points difference in that dramatic fashion is incredible. That is the drama of sport and I'm just thankful.

"Saracens came out and played and put us under huge pressure, but what a second-half performance from us. It was a bit of a ding-dong battle and an incredible game of rugby.

“We still have a long way to go. We said we had to become tough to beat and I feel we have. There’s a clear way we play the game now. We became fitter and better. All credit to the players.

"Reaching the top eight is testament to the hard work from a lot of people, and we kept fighting. We talked from the beginning about connection, clarity and commitment. You saw that commitment here today. You can see the belief is back.”

Van Graan admits there is a lot more work to do before the Champions’ Cup rolls around, but with his experience with Munster it is something he is lookiing forward to.

“It’s a competition I love,” Van Graan added.

“I look forward to taking Bath into that competition, and whoever we get is to be determined. I’m looking forward to it. We need to get a lot better though.”

And that’s what the coming months will be - hard work behind the scenes to ensure the upward curve continues, and Bath’s renaissance doesn’t stutter.