Bath chief vows to turn the club into a Premiership force again
Bath chief executive Tarquin McDonald vows to turn the club into a Premiership force again with Scotland star Finn Russell joining an exciting squad and plans to develop a new stadium at The Rec
- Bath have struggled badly in the past two campaigns in the Premiership
- They are currently propping up the rest of the league under Johann van Graan
- But McDonald has promised a revolution on and off the field at The Rec
Bath might be bottom of the Premiership once again this season, but the club’s chief executive has promised a revolution on and off the field at The Rec.
One of English rugby’s proudest sides, Bath have struggled badly in the past two campaigns and would have been relegated in 2022 were the top division not ringfenced.
In their first campaign under head of rugby Johann van Graan, the team are currently still propping up the rest of the league.
But the stellar signing of Scotland fly-half Finn Russell for next season has been a big statement of Bath intent.
Last year, the club was also finally given the green light to redevelop their historic city centre stadium in another major boost.
Bath issued a statement of intent with signing of Scotland fly-half Finn Russell for next season
On Thursday, the club did lose forwards coach Neil Hatley who is joining former England boss Eddie Jones with Australia.
‘We want the theatre and drama that happens on the pitch to go alongside an experience that is absolutely unique in rugby,’ Tarquin McDonald told Sportsmail.
‘For everyone at the club there is a really exciting few years ahead that’s for sure.
‘We want to be financially sustainable in the medium term. Our stadium redevelopment and being successful on the pitch is part of that plan.
‘We’re working towards submitting plans for our stadium redevelopment.
‘There will be fantastic facilities at The Rec moving forward. We want to be successful on the pitch and not just keep our existing supporters coming back but attract new fans as well.
‘We were very nearly full despite the challenges we had last year which is amazing with the loyal support we have. We know we can redevelop at The Rec now. We have to go through planning but there was uncertainty over where our long-term future might be. Now we know it’s at The Rec.
‘It is an amazing place for rugby.’
Russell, who excelled for Scotland in the Six Nations, will join Bath after this year’s World Cup and be part of a squad containing young English talent in Sam Underhill, Ollie Lawrence, Ted Hill and Alfie Barbeary. This week, the club also confirmed the signing of South Africa prop Thomas du Toit.
The historic Rec’s location on a UNESCO World Heritage site has previously made redevelopment of the ground – which has a number of temporary structures – difficult.
Bath plan to submit plans to redevelop The Rec – which has a number of temporary structures
But the passing of a court ruling in October means it is now full steam ahead with plans for a new stadium to be submitted later this year.
‘Our plan is to put proposals forward for the council to deliberate on. We’d be hopeful they will approve and if so, we’d be looking to start reconstruction as soon as we can,’ McDonald said.
‘We’re going to redevelop what we’ve got. We have a lot of temporary structures right now.
‘Our plan is to create a wonderful new riverside stand and to move in a little bit from the riverside, but very much to remain at The Rec and redevelop those facilities.’
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