'It's about people, 63 young players and 32 staff... the complexities, the dynamics, the feelings of those relationships'
There will be nothing but friendly hellos and open doors when Stuart Hooper arrives at the Rec on Saturday two days out from his 38th birthday.
Bath have a Champions Cup campaign to get underway at home to Ulster and the prodigal son, who in recent times has gone from on-pitch talisman to off-pitch troubleshooter, will be expected to confidently get the show on the road in a tournament the club frustratingly haven’t won since 1998.
He won’t miss a beat perched high above the East Stand, his vantage point giving him a bird’s eye view of proceedings below on the hallowed turf he graced for so many years. But the vantage point wasn’t always this luxurious.
Glimpses of the action were only fleeting when he first clapped eyes on the club of his dreams as a ten-year-old, watching from Pulteney Bridge as a kid a fair size shorter than the 6ft 5in frame he went on to eke out a very credible Premiership career with.
He was immediately smitten, though, and here he is nearly 28 years later, in charge of the whole shooting match and aiming to rekindle Bath’s old love affair with winning trophies.
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“It’s very difficult to put into words,” he told RugbyPass about his long attachment with Bath which was only interrupted in the foothills of his playing career when he went away to earn his stripes at Saracens and Leeds.
“It means a huge amount to me. From a personal point of view, I first watched the club when I was ten years old and dreamt one day playing for them and then ended up captaining them for five years.
“We weren’t in the ground, we were above the ground looking into it on the bridge above,” he said, casting his mind to it all started from a spot above the River Avon looking on over the walls.
Over to you @bathrugby supporters – how many can you get? https://t.co/kDRfcvByFV
— Bath Rugby (@BathRugby) November 13, 2019
“It’s just a very evocative memory of what this arena right in the middle of a city felt like. Then life goes on and I kind of watched a bit, enjoyed supporting them through the ’90s and then started my own professional career in ’99 and eventually got the opportunity to play for them and played for nine years.
“There was stages of the journey where it was always like ‘this is incredibly special’ and then to be asked last year to lead the club this summer was a huge moment of pride for me, something I am determined to do well.”
He has his hands full as director of rugby. As a player, looking after himself and ensuring he was ready to peak every weekend was the priority. Now the demands are very, very different, a responsibility he aims not to shirk in any way.
‘In life, in rugby, things aren’t always going to go the way you want them to and you’re going to be dealt some pretty s*** hands’
– @FreddieBurns speaks w/ @heagnel about how he has bounced back at @bathrugby from his @ChampionsCup clanger ?https://t.co/RKBmjb8Y6O
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 25, 2019
“The whole thing is around continually understanding what the role means. The role is very different every day. The biggest crux of the role is it’s about people so we have got 63 young players and 32 staff and to lead all of those people, the complexities of the relationships, the dynamics, the feelings… and that is just the work.
“Then you have got outside of work, all the emotions of having all these people, it is a people business and everyone will tell you it is time-consuming and all-encompassing. I don’t think I was surprised by that, but it was just a realisation that that is what it is.”
If there is a comparison about the value the club hopes he will bring, it’s with Leinster’s Leo Cullen. The Irish club’s long-serving lock switched from club captain to club boss quicker than envisaged when Matt O’Connor was sacked and while there were initial teething problems, Cullen has since gone on to enjoy remarkable success.
That feeling when @ChampionsCup rugby is back.
? @bathrugby ? @UlsterRugby
?? The Rec
?? Saturday 16th November
? 13:00
?? https://t.co/lFcforcthV
? 01225 536 900 pic.twitter.com/2a7jwlD9j7— Bath Rugby (@BathRugby) November 11, 2019
Similar joy is longed for at the Rec now that Hooper, their long-time rugged skipper, has taken over the reins from Todd Blackadder earlier than expected. He knows the comparisons are there and would love nothing better that to get Bath back to where he feels they belong.
“There is always going to be different comparisons with different people. The important thing for us is we are Bath and we are pushing ahead with the way we feel that is right. Leo has done a fantastic job at Leinster, as Stu (Lancaster) has as well. I have a lot of admiration for what they have done.
“As with any other environment I try and learn as much as I can from as many different people, and Leo is certainly someone who has had tremendous success as a former player.
“It is a massively challenging role in an incredibly challenging competition. But exciting was the overriding feeling and the opportunity to work with the group of players that we have got is massive. It remains exciting and remains challenging.
“I didn’t come to Bath until 2007, but memories of the victory down in Bordeaux in ’98, memories of the guys lifting the trophy and bringing it back to Bath, are very vivid.
“This city is so vibrant on game day and the support from the whole city is massive. Looking back over recent history when we got to different finals, the whole place comes alive and to have our supporters behind us is massive. Success is what we want to bring back to the club, for sure.
Who are those big lumps wondering around the rugby field?? ????
One of those very same lumps himself back in the day ? @bathrugby director of rugby ? Stuart Hooper is here to describe THE SECOND ROW ?
New to the game? Still learning? Let the pros explain. pic.twitter.com/UJb2eRMZKU
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) November 12, 2019
“I don’t think we are very far away. The margins are tiny,” he suggested following a start to the Premiership where Bath have broken even, winning twice and losing twice. “The challenges are huge but we have a group of players that are determined to succeed. They are a group of players that are excited to play with each other.
“They are excited to try and create something and what we have got is a load of other clubs who want to do the same thing. We have got to be diligent, we have got to be professional but we have also got to enjoy what we do and forge our own path. We are very much committed to our performances and to putting in place the thing that we practice, getting our guys back from the World Cup and pushing on.”
Balancing the books is all part of Hooper’s new remit as director of rugby and the salary cap governing the Premiership has been all the rage since punishment was meted out to Saracens, his former club, last week. “It seems to have been dealt with thoroughly and very professionally. From our point of view, it doesn’t change a huge amount. We’re focused on getting into the top four without or without Saracens in that top four.
“That is what we want to do and we will be doing everything to make that happen. It [salary cap] is always a challenge but that is a challenge we sign up for. It is something we are all aware of and understanding the nuances is something we have to do. It is part of the role and something we do thoroughly and regularly.”
There will be no pause for breath now that Bath are entering the business end of winter. Ulster, Harlequins and Clermont twice are all waiting for them in Europe, a four-match run of fixtures only broken in the middle by welcoming the aforementioned Saracens to the Rec in the league on November 29.
It’s a tasty schedule, one where Hooper will learn much about his Bath squad and about how he is faring himself in a new role his four sons are taking great interest in. “They’re eleven, eight, six and four. They love the rugby and are my biggest supporters. They are supporters as well as my sons, so they love it when we win and they give me a hard time when we lose.
“I do try to (get a break from rugby when I can). I do think it is important to create a little bit of space. I try and find a little bit of time. I spent a little bit of time playing with my sons, take the dog for a walk and spend time with the family just away from all the electronic media and that sort of stuff. Just have a bit of time to think and then get back to it… it keeps me very level going back into the players the next day.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
Rodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
14 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
8 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
14 Go to comments