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Fiery Bath baptism for van Graan as Premiership fixtures released

By Liam Heagney
(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

New Bath boss Johann van Graan will get an immediate taste of the hype surrounding the Gallagher Premiership as last season’s bottom place team will visit neighbours Bristol when the new 2022/23 season opens on September 9 at Ashton Gate. The South African has been recruited from Munster to try and revive the English club that continued to struggle during its recent years with Stuart Hooper as director of rugby – and he has now been handed an away day baptism of fire.    

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“The Premiership fixtures announcement always generates excitement amongst players, coaches, and supporters – I am sure everyone is looking forward to what lies ahead,” said van Graan, who was appointed incoming Bath boss last December.

“We are relishing the opportunity to open the season with a local derby before back-to-back home matches at The Rec where I know we will be well-supported. Before then, there is a lot of hard work to be done by everyone at the club and we will continue to build towards that first round.”

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Eddie Jones explains the Danny Care substitute was completely tactical

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It was three years ago when Bristol versus Bath was previously the opening fixture for a new Premiership season, more than 26,000 fans packing into Ashton Gate to see the Bears win 43-16, and Pat Lam can’t wait to get started this time around with van Grann now at the helm of the opposition. 

“Kicking off the season against Bath is fantastic for both sets of supporters and we are really excited for another big night at Ashton Gate,” said Lam. “Our last two derbies on the opening night of the season have sold out, and we know our community will get behind us again on September 9. It’s a Friday night, live on BT Sport, and everyone at the club – staff, and players – are already relishing the occasion.”

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Also on the opening night, it is fourth versus sixth from last season as Sale Sharks welcome Northampton Saints to Salford, while defending champions Leicester will open their title defence the following day away to Exeter. Beaten finalists Saracens have a bye in the opening round. Tigers boss Steve Borthwick said: “We are very excited for the new Gallagher Premiership Rugby season and the challenges that come with being a part of one of rugby’s most competitive leagues. 

“Kicking off our campaign away from home against a quality outfit like Exeter Chiefs will be a great opportunity to test ourselves from the opening round against a side of their calibre, before being back at Mattioli Woods Welford Road with all of our supporters in the second round for an exciting clash with Newcastle Falcons.”

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Gallagher Premiership Rugby Round One
Friday, September 9
Bristol Bears v Bath Rugby – BT Sport
Sale Sharks v Northampton Saints – PRTV Live

Saturday, September 10
Exeter Chiefs v Leicester Tigers – BT Sport
London Irish v Worcester Warriors – PRTV Live
Newcastle Falcons v Harlequins – PRTV Live

Sunday, September 11
Gloucester Rugby v Wasps – BT Sport

Gallagher Premiership Rugby Round Two
Friday, September 16
Northampton Saints v London Irish – BT Sport

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Saturday, September 17
Bath Rugby v Sale Sharks – PRTV Live
Harlequins v Saracens – BT Sport
Leicester Tigers v Newcastle Falcon – PRTV Live
Wasps v Bristol Bears – PRTV Live

Sunday, September 18
Worcester Warriors v Exeter Chiefs – BT Sport

  • Click here to see all the Gallagher Premiership Rugby fixtures
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Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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