Bath are out to extend their perfect start to the Gallagher PREM season this weekend, as the blue, black and whites travel up to the East Midlands for a clash with Leicester Tigers. Head coach Johann van Graan will stand across the touch-line from Leicester boss Geoff Parling, as the two sides prepare for a re-match of last season’s Premiership Final.
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Parling took over the reins as Leicester head coach ahead of the 2025/26 season, following the departure of Michael Cheika. The former England lock hung up his playing boots back in 2018, and Parling had since established a solid portfolio with the Wallabies, through a five year run as Australia’s forwards coach.
Whilst this is the first time that Parling will go head-to-head with van Graan from the technical areas of a PREM Rugby match, the two actually first met some good years prior, for a clash upon the international stage when England hosted the Springboks at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. Van Graan revealed how there was “instant respect” between the two, following a Test at the home of English Rugby.
“I’ve met him a few times. I think he still played for England when I was coaching with South Africa. [He is a] Leicester man through and through, very diligent with his line-out work, and he was with the Wallabies for a long time. I don’t know him very well, but, instant respect.
“We met each other at Twickenham a few weeks ago [PREM Rugby season launch]. I know a lot of people that know him very well, Leicester have appointed a Leicester man. From a club perspective, wishing the very best. There’s obviously some some change there, but you know, you can only wish people the best that’s got nothing to do with us. He’s a fellow coach, and he’s been very friendly, and hopefully we coach against each other for a number of years.”
There is no denying the ‘fortress’ status which has been built around Leicestershire, as Welford Road is revered across the PREM as one of the toughest away days of the annual fixture list. However, no such fear is felt across the blue, black and whites, as van Graan expressed how his side is excited for the trip up to the old rugby heartland in the middle of England.
“We love to go to Welford Road. Not in an arrogant way, just because we love playing rugby. In the Premiership, you’ve got 18 rounds, nine home nine away, so we just get on with the away games and take each one for what it is. Leicester away is always physical, and there’s a massive respect between the clubs, the supporters, the players and the coaching groups. So, we know exactly what we’re going to get. We know it’s going to be loud, but we never prepare for any anything different for an away team, away.”
“Everyone is tough, whether you go to Leicester, Saracens, Exeter, Newcastle, Bristol, there’s no easy ground. I think that’s certainly one of the things I’ve learned in the Premiership, there’s no easy games. I’d say for me personally, Leicester, from a Welford Road point of view, is one of the more unique grounds in terms of noise. The song when you run out, the Eastern stand clapping and stamping their feet on the main pavilion, that’s amazing.
“This is one of the oldest rivalries in club history all over the world, is Bath versus Leicester. We saw it in the final, two fantastic sets of our fans. I’ve been to watch a few games there. I was there with Munster on a few occasions, and been with Bath on a few occasions. Certainly one of the good contests in World Rugby and we’re looking forward to it.”
Just as Parling impressed van Graan as a hulking, no-nonsense second row back in the early 2010s, Bath fans are watching the coming-of-age for break-through forward Ewan Richards. The versatile 23-year-old can cover both lock and across the back row, and he has been in game-changing form so far, following a pre-season break-through in the PREM Rugby Cup.
Richards’ latest star-making efforts witnessed him bag a brace in last weekend’s West Country derby win over Gloucester, whilst recording Oval Insights’ best rating of the season.
“Everybody was so happy for him [Richards]. He’s worked so hard over the last two years, and he used his opportunities in the PREM cup, but I’d say he really used his opportunity last Saturday. His second try, that line that he ran off, at the late pass, you know he’s fast. What impressed me is he spent 80 minutes at lock and sometimes the legs can get heavy. It’s a sign of not only his fitness, but the team’s fitness in how we finished that game. Really happy for Ewan, but, but my bigger message will be [that I’m] really happy for the group.”
“I thought Ewan was fantastic on Saturday evening.It shows me that our system works. It shows me that player that we’ve made the PREM Cup captain, who has led them tremendously, who has delivered performances week in and week out. “
Richard’s brilliant performances come at a pivotal time for Bath, as both regular starting lock Charlie Ewels and back row bulldozer Jaco Coetzee face extended injury enforced breaks on the side-lines. Bath take on Leicester Tigers this Saturday at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, with kick off in the East Midlands at 15:05.
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