Lot of thought gone into the pre-season
Stuart Hooper has outlined the nuanced approach to pre-season Bath Rugby will be taking this summer as the players report back for duty next week.
The majority of the Blue, Black and White squad will return to Farleigh House next week apart from those currently away with the British and Irish Lions in Taulupe Faletau and Anthony Watson and the players who have been involved with England’s summer internationals.
That is actually a significant contingent with club captain Charlie Ewels, lock Josh Mcnally, loosehead prop Beno Obano, flanker Sam Underhill and winger Joe Cokanasiga involved in the two-test series against the USA and Canada.
The likes of Ben Spencer, Tom de Glanville and Max Ojomoh also trained with the national squad before being released while flanker Miles Reid fractured a bone in his face training with Eddie Jones’ squad.
Those players who are back in training will have the ball back in their hands as soon as possible Bath director of rugby Stuart Hooper explained.
He said: “The big thing is about the boys building an understanding of our game and the boys will have a ball in their hands from day one, starting to move the ball and keep the ball moving right from the beginning.
“It’s had a lot of thought go into it and with Dave Williams in the building now leading our attack there will be a different angle on pre-season right from day one.
Bath finished seventh in 2020/21, just claiming a spot in this season’s Heineken Champions Cup but well below their expectations of a place in the play-offs.
Hooper acknowledged, “There are areas we need to work on.
“We didn’t defend well and conceded too many tries; on top of that, we’ve got the opportunity to really develop our attack, to push on and stress teams with the ball a bit more.
“It’s about getting the most out of our guys and giving them the very best opportunity to play their best rugby.
“There are one or two things that we’re looking at and hopefully we’ll get to see them sooner rather than later.”