Van Graan’s unburdened Bath ‘started at zero’

Johann van Graan says Bath don’t feel the weight of history as they prepare to face Leicester in Saturday’s Premiership final, aiming to end their long wait for another league title.

Having finished 11 points clear of the Tigers at the top of the regular-season table, Bath saw off rivals Bristol to secure a return to Twickenham, where they were edged out 25-21 by Northampton last year.

Van Graan’s troops ended the club’s 17-year trophy drought earlier in the campaign by lifting the Premiership Rugby Cup before winning the EPCR Challenge Cup last month with victory over Lyon in Cardiff.

One of the traditional powerhouses of English rugby, Bath last won the league in 1996 for their sixth title in a decade of dominance.

But Van Graan said his men remain focused on writing their own chapter by completing what would be a memorable treble.

“When I joined Bath, you look at the history, the tradition, you read up on the club, and you see that this club at a time was incredibly successful, specifically through the 1980s and the 90s,” the head of rugby told reporters.

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“One thing that we all did together is we respect our history, but we started the club at zero in our minds on July 11, 2022 [when he joined the club].

“We respect everybody and everything that has gone before, but for us it has been a journey of the last three years. It is all about this circle and this group of people, whilst loving the people that support this club.”

He added: “It is another moment in time and we have got an amazing opportunity. There is no expectation and we don’t feel any burden. The only thing we feel is each other and inside of that circle, and that is what we are doing.”

Bath hammered Leicester 43-15 in May to complete a league double over their historic rivals. Van Graan has warned against complacency at Twickenham, which will be the last game in charge for Tigers boss Michael Cheika and retiring stalwarts Dan Cole and Ben Youngs.

“It is definitely a standalone fixture,” he said. “Obviously, you do your homework and you look at what’s worked for you, what didn’t, what worked for them, what didn’t.

“You look at every game in a different way but a final is so unique, it is the last game of the season for both clubs.”

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