Bath Aims to Kick Off European Campaign Strong Against Munster

Bath Rugby is eager to make a significant impact in the 2024/25 Champions Cup, facing Munster Rugby this evening at The Rec. This matchup marks the first competitive encounter between the two teams in over 25 years, with their last meeting dating back to October 2000. Bath, who have not progressed past the knockout stage since winning the Champions Cup in 1998, is determined to change their fortunes this season under the leadership of former Munster head coach Johann van Graan.

Bath’s recent history in European competitions has been lackluster, with their last knockout tie victory occurring two decades ago. Despite this, the team’s morale has been rejuvenated following a successful season that saw them secure three trophies, ending a 29-year drought. The Challenge Cup victory ignited a newfound ambition, leading the squad to prioritize their European campaign this year. Reflecting on the importance of the Champions Cup, Ben Spencer, Bath’s captain, noted his teammate Tom Dunn‘s sentiment: “If we can win one game in Europe, I’ll be a happy man.”

Van Graan took over Bath in 2022 when the club was struggling, finishing at the bottom of the Premiership. He has instilled a vision of success in the Champions Cup, emphasizing its significance to the players. Last season, Bath faced a challenging path, exiting the tournament at the pool stage despite showing potential. Their opening matches against La Rochelle and Treviso were narrow defeats, highlighting their struggle to secure early wins. A subsequent heavy victory over Clermont showcased their capabilities, yet they fell short against Leinster in a tense knockout clash.

This evening’s match against Munster comes with heightened expectations for Bath, particularly as they are considered favorites. Initial betting lines had Bath as 11-point favorites, but the absence of Munster’s star out-half JJ Hanrahan, due to an ankle injury, has shifted the odds significantly to 15 points. Historically, Munster has rarely been underdogs by such a margin outside of knockout matches in France.

Van Graan has cultivated a strong team at Bath, benefitting from greater resources compared to his time at Munster. He aims to maximize the talents of players like Finn Russell, who is central to Bath’s attacking strategy. The team is characterized by versatility and strength, with a formidable front row featuring Beno Obano and Will Stuart, along with a solid second-row partnership of Quinn Roux and Charlie Ewels.

The scrum will play a crucial role in the match, especially after observing the performance of the Stormers against Munster last weekend. Munster will look to reinforce their squad with the return of Jean Kleyn from Test duty and the debut of new signing Michael Ala’alatoa. However, they face challenges, particularly in their backline, where there is a lack of cover for the pivotal out-half position should Hanrahan be unable to play.

Despite these setbacks, Munster arrives in Bath confident after a strong performance against Northampton in the pool stage last season. A victory tonight would add another significant chapter to their storied European history.

As the teams prepare for kickoff at 20:00, the atmosphere at The Rec is expected to be electric. Both squads will be eager to set the tone for their Champions Cup campaigns, with Bath aiming to assert their dominance and Munster determined to disrupt their plans. The outcome of this match may well define the trajectory of both teams’ European ambitions for the season ahead.