Bath is coming off a 2019/20 season where they finished with the four seed in the Premiership playoffs. Despite a strong finish to the season and facing off against a Exeter Chiefs club, that was struggling, in the Semi-Finals, Bath would bow out early in a less than convincing defeat. However, it's a new campaign and Bath looks to win the ultimate prize: the Premiership title. Let's take a look how that can happen.
Make Up For Players On International Duty
While Exeter and Saracens have dominated the last two seasons in the league, it always seemed like Bath was that one squad to always be depleted by players being called up for international duty. However, with two international tournaments happening during the course of this 2020/21 campaign, this will be exasperated as the club will not be able to play their strongest 23 matchday side for most of the season. That could affect whether Bath could make the playoffs or not, which leads into the next point.
Does The Club Have The Depth To Navigate The Waters?
When the club had everyone healthy and not having anyone on international duty, they were tough to beat as they had such great depth. Bath is one of the most deep and talented sides in the entire competition, however, like mentioned above, they are decimated by players being called up for international duty. So the question remains, how deep is their depth when a situation like this occurs? That will be put to the test.
Hopefully Rhys Priestland Retains His Golden Boot Performance
This will be the key for Bath as Rhys Priestland remains as the top flyhalf choice for the club. While he might be 33, he is still in great form. Priestland was outstanding once the team returned to Premiership action after time off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but he was especially on his game leading himself to the Golden Boot award. Priestland was an instrumental piece to Bath's run to the playoffs and they will need him to perform up to that standard if wanting to return to that position. However, losing Freddie Burns hurts the flyhalf depth, so outside of Josh Matavesi being able to play the position, it's very thin at the 10 jersey. Unless Bath wants to develop Orlando Bailey, the club has all their chips on Priestland to keep performing well. Otherwise, they will have to get another flyhalf.
Build Upon The Success
A Premiership playoff spot is exciting to a lot of Bath fans, but they expect more. This is one of the most successful rugby clubs in England, the fanbase expects a title every campaign (though it's been tough during the professional era). With how the end of the 2019/20 season was, it's exciting to see the prospects of what the future lies for the club. Bath will have to keep up their form as they were red hot going into the 2019/20 playoffs, however, the time off might affect them for a bit. Taking time off might disrupt the rhythm of a team in almost every sport, so Bath's momentum might be affected here. If the squad can build off what happened in the previous campaign, watch out, a title might be coming sooner rather than later.
Give Stuart Hooper A Chance To Build His Team
What is evident is that Hooper knows how to build a team. Hooper has a knack for finding talent to fit his system and that is a great sign. His recruitment of scrumhalf Ben Spencer, centers Josh Matavesi and Cameron Redpath, and forwards Josh McNally and Will Stuart proves that he knows who are the best players to bring in. Hooper also knows that with other players like Zach Mercer, Beno Obano, Sam Underhill, Joe Cokanasiga, Ruaridh McConnochie, and Anthony Watson, they have players to build around and Bath could become a force to be reckoned with. He knows which positions will be needed to be filled currently or in the future, so expect him to do that aggressively. Who knows, Hooper might be building a team with long-term success.
Take Advantage Of Easier Competition
With Saracens relegated due to a financial fair play scandal, they will be replaced by Newcastle Falcons. Because of this, it gives Bath a better chance of getting to the playoffs as it will be easier competition. Saracens were one of the best teams in not only Europe, but the world, so with them being relegated, things get easier. Bath will have to take advantage of that.
Prediction for 2020/21: Second or Third place during the season. Undetermined for whether they win the title.
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