In the last decade, Bath have appeared in the Premiership play-offs on just two occasions and with all eyes on the semi-finals this weekend, the six-time top-flight champions will be absent once again.
Given that they were building from 'zero' at the start of this season, a top-four finish would have surpassed all expectations but perhaps Bath sneaking into the Champions Cup places is a sign that the club are beginning to head in the right direction.
On Saturday, Johan van Graan's side capped off the Premiership campaign with a massive win over league leaders Saracens and the victory marked their fourth consecutive bonus-point win, having previously beaten Exeter Chiefs, Gloucester and Harlequins.
Their place at Europe's top table went down to the wire as rivals Bristol Bears finished on the same number of points as Bath.
In this situation, the team with the most victories will place higher but both Bath and Bristol finished with eight wins. Points differential was then the deciding factor and the Blue, Black and White edged it.
The turnaround at Bath has been phenomenal in the last two months. When you consider where they were at the end of March - winless in 2023 and battling it out with Newcastle Falcons to avoid last place - four wins on the bounce since then seems inconceivable.
Van Graan was delighted with the success over Saracens and said it was the perfect send off to the coaches and players leaving as this season ends.
He said: "If you want to choose a way to end, that was it. I’m so glad for all the people involved. We talked a lot about connection, clarity and commitment and I think you saw a lot of that today.
"We’re keeping our feet on the ground and we’ve still got a long way to go as a club. We said that we would become tough to beat and I think that we have and we’ll adjust for next season and start again."
Van Graan said that he had an eye on the Bristol Bears vs Gloucester match that was happening at the same time as Bath’s. He was on the touchline in the 82nd minute when Bristol had a three-point advantage over Bath before Ollie Lawrence raced over to steal Champions Cup rugby from the Bears.
"What a finish," he said. “Obviously I didn’t watch the game but I had to ask so many times ‘Are we through?!’"
Bath captain Ben Spencer has been one of the standout players for Van Graan’s side and has played himself into contention for England’s number nine jersey. The scrum-half will most certainly be influential if the Blue, Black and White are to kick on next term.
He said: "We made him captain at the start of the season. Having got an injury in Round Two, he’s fought back and regained his form. Definitely one of the form players in the competition at the moment. He was very, very good today."
The season was looking bleak until very recently for Van Graan and his side but a hard-fought win against Exeter in Round 21 proved to be the turning point for Bath as they went on to smash their next three opponents.
Van Graan credits his side's "hard work, belief and commitment” for their improved results and performances, something he will want to see more of in 2023-24.
He said: "There’s a really clear way that we play the game now. We became fitter and we became better. All credit to the players."
Players like Ted Hill and Ollie Lawrence have been phenomenal for Bath since joining from Worcester Warriors halfway through the season.
As difficult as it was to lose Worcester from the league, Hill and Lawrence have thrived in the Bath jersey, particularly the latter who looks like he will be occupying a place in England’s centres for many years to come.
"They were massive," said Van Graan. "It was very difficult with what happened to their club as well as what happened to Wasps but it was amazing what a difference they made. I think they’ll both be pretty happy men tonight."
