Bath focused on response not rivarly as they look to rebound against Bristol Bears

Last weekend, Bath’s winning start to the Gallagher Prem season came to an end after a narrow defeat to Leicester Tigers at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

An 81st-minute penalty from Leicester’s Billy Searle saw the Tigers snatch a 22-20 victory, leaving the champions having to settle for a losing bonus point.

Now, Bath turn their attention to this weekend’s fixture, welcoming local rivals Bristol Bears to The Rec in Round Five.

"There’s a big rivalry there," Bath's Josh Bayliss told TRU. "We’ve had some great games over the years and some really close affairs in the time I’ve been involved. They play some great running rugby. It’s always a tasty fixture. We love playing these games."

You don’t have to look too far back to find some enthralling encounters between these two sides. In this fixture last season, Bristol stormed The Rec with a 36-26 victory, but the Blue, Black and White got their revenge in the Prem semi-finals - overturning a 13-6 half-time deficit to win 34-20 on their way to domestic glory.

Bath coach Johann van Graan says the team is focusing inward, rather than getting caught up in the narrative of the rivalry.

"It’s a rivalry that’s been around for a long time, but that’s not our focus," he said. "Our focus is on our performance this weekend. We know they’re a quality outfit, well-coached, and they play a specific way. I’m sure for fans across the Premiership, it’ll be a great game to watch on Saturday."

Discipline proved costly for Bath last weekend, with several penalties conceded - including a high tackle in the dying seconds that allowed Leicester the match-winning kick. Despite being in control for much of the game, Bath fell just short but Van Graan remains positive and is looking for a response on Saturday.

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"Losing is part of professional rugby and sport in general," he said. "Just because we lost on Saturday doesn’t mean we played badly. I think we did some really good stuff in the game. Some things go your way, some things don’t.

"The important thing is that we led right up to the final play and defended really well. We pushed them back almost 20 metres before that high tackle was called. The thing is, we win together and lose together. We took it on the chin, looked at what needed fixing, and now we’re looking forward to a great week."

As for their visitors, Bristol Bears have been among the hardest-hit sides this season in terms of injuries, but they’ll be buoyed by the return of British & Irish Lions prop Ellis Genge this weekend. Despite their setbacks, Bayliss says Bristol have remained dangerous opponents.

"Injuries are part and parcel of rugby. Sometimes big ones come three or four at a time," he said. “I’ve been impressed with how they’ve slightly adapted their game to play to their strengths. They still have some outstanding players on the pitch, and that’s what’s elevated their performances."

Perhaps Bath’s strength in depth is the envy of their West Country rivals, continuing to serve as a major asset for the champions - a fact underlined by their recent flurry of international call-ups, including Bayliss himself.

The towering forward featured in three of Scotland’s four Autumn Nations Series fixtures in 2024 and once again finds himself in Gregor Townsend’s plans for upcoming games against the United States, New Zealand, Argentina, and Tonga.

“It’s a massive honour to be named in the squad,” he said. “The Autumn Internationals are special for me, as I made my debut for Scotland [in 2021] against Australia during that window.

"Some of the teams and players you get to face and playing at home in all four Test matches, it’s really cool. My debut was a very special day for me and my family four years ago. A lot has happened since then, but it’s still an incredible memory."

But before all of that, Bayliss and Bath will want to enter the international block by returning to winning ways.