30 h. ago Bath’s treble win blends yesteryear charm with the recently unthinkable | Michael Aylwin

First league crown ends a drought of almost three decades that the Rec Ground faithful would have scarcely believed at the dawn of the professional eraAt the 29th time of asking, Bath are champions of England once more. At five to five on a sunny afternoon here, Ben Spencer passed to Finn Russell – the married couple, as their coach, Johann van Graan, likes to call them – and Russell kicked it somewhere, anywhere but on the pitch to put an end to decades of pain out west.In 1996, when titles were won the old-fashioned way, the notion it would take so long for Bath, who had just won their sixth in eight years – their 10th cup in 13, and their fourth double – to become champions of England again would have seemed absurd. Only a little more absurd than the notion they wouldwin it would have seemed three years ago, when they finished bottom of the table, spared the indignity of relegation only by the very different way English rugby is organised these days. Continue reading...

Politics

44 h. ago Finn Russell inspires Bath to Premiership title despite late Leicester fightback

Premiership Rugby final: Bath 23-21 LeicesterJohann van Graan’s side cling on to complete treble There was barely a cloud in the clear summer sky in south-west London and blue was also the primary colour on the field. For the first time in 29 years, Bath are the champions of England and any debate about the big-game nerve of Johann van Graan’s multi-talented squad can now be quietly laid to rest alongside Leicester’s shredded dreams.Bath will have some idea of how their old rivals are feeling, having suffered a similarly agonising fate against Northampton in last year’s final. They were not at their absolute best by their own high standards, but once they finally remembered how to catch a rugby ball – a recurring problem in the first half – they had a touch too much for their opponents whose spirited final-quarter rally came too late. Continue reading...

Politics

44 h. ago Russell inspires Bath to Premiership title despite late Leicester fightback

Premiership Rugby final: Bath 23-21 LeicesterJohann van Graan’s side cling on to complete trebleThere was barely a cloud in the clear summer sky in south-west London and blue was also the primary colour on the field. For the first time in 29 years, Bath are the champions of England and any debate about the big-game nerve of Johann van Graan’s multi-talented squad can now be quietly laid to rest alongside Leicester’s shredded dreams.Bath will have some idea of how their old rivals are feeling, having suffered a similarly agonising fate against Northampton in last year’s final. They were not at their absolute best by their own high standards, but once they finally remembered how to catch a rugby ball – a recurring problem in the first half – they had a touch too much for their opponents whose spirited final-quarter rally came too late. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Bath ‘don’t feel any burden’ in Premiership final – Johann van Graan

Bath, last year’s runners-up, have not won the league since 1996 but have already lifted two trophies this season.

Politics

1 week ago Warning for Challenge Cup fans as trains to Wembley hit by strikes

Rugby league fans heading to Wembley for Saturday's Challenge Cup final are bracing for travel disruptions as Hull Trains drivers strike over the dismissal of a colleague.

Events

1 week ago Willie Peters hopes to end Hull KR’s wait for trophy after ‘adversity’ of past

Hull KR face Warrington in Saturday’s Betfred Challenge Cup final.

Politics

1 week ago Warrington captain George Williams declares himself fit for Challenge Cup final

The 30-year-old has recovered from an ankle injury in April that required surgery.

Politics

3 w. ago Challenge Cup: Bath breeze past Lyon in Cardiff to take massive step closer to historic treble

The Somerset club are riding high ahead of the Premiership run-in

Politics

3 w. ago Finn Russell leads Bath to European glory as Scottish referee at centre of controversy

Russell kicks 17 points as Bath defeat Lyon in Challenge Cup final

Politics

3 w. ago How to watch Bath vs Lyon: TV channel and live stream for Challenge Cup final today

The Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales hosts the Challenge Cup final in a first-ever meeting between Bath and Lyon

Sport

3 w. ago Johann van Graan wants Bath to ‘enjoy the moment’ in Challenge Cup final

The west country club have a trophy treble in their sights.

Politics