Bath Rugby’s 2025-2026 Gallagher Premiership campaign has kicked off with the kind of energy and precision that makes fans and pundits alike sit up and take notice. Sitting atop the table as the only undefeated team through three rounds, Bath’s three consecutive victories have not only earned them a perfect 15 points but also reaffirmed their status as defending champions after last season’s nail-biting 23-21 triumph over Leicester Tigers—a win that ended a 29-year Premiership drought. The blue, black, and white have picked up right where they left off, blending clinical attack with resolute defense and, perhaps most importantly, a squad culture that seems as unbreakable as their maul.
Let’s break down the numbers behind Bath’s blistering start. Through their opening fixtures, Bath has racked up a staggering 113 points, with 16 tries (80 points), 15 conversions (30 points), and a penalty goal. Their attacking prowess is matched by their tactical nous; the team has gained 1,320 meters from 402 carries, 30 clean breaks, and 21 offloads. It’s not just flash, though—Bath’s forwards boast a flawless 100% maul success rate, setting the platform for much of their attacking momentum. On the other side of the ball, Bath has made 311 tackles at a 78% completion rate, holding firm against every challenge thrown at them. Add in 2,710 meters kicked for territory, and you’ve got a side that’s as smart as it is explosive.
But numbers only tell part of the story. The heart of Bath’s early-season surge lies in their ability to adapt and integrate, even as key players cycle in and out due to international duties. The third round, a West Country derby against Gloucester, marked not just another win but also the return of international stars. Most notably, Finn Russell rejoined the squad after leading the British & Irish Lions on tour in Australia. His impact was immediate. Slotting seamlessly back into the fly half role, Russell tallied a personal haul of 13 points and, despite a brief trip to the sin bin, orchestrated Bath’s attack with his trademark flair and control.
Tom de Glanville, Bath’s dynamic fullback, was quick to highlight Russell’s influence on the back line. “Firstly, with Finn [Russell] coming back, he obviously adds an X factor and a level of control that, especially I feel as an outside back, we can thrive off. Moments like his kick for Ewan [Richards’] try there, if you’re on the same page as him, he creates so many opportunities for players,” de Glanville told RUCK. Yet, he was just as eager to credit the squad’s depth and togetherness during Russell’s absence. “Max [Ojomoh] was awesome holding that [fly half] down. I think it’s a testament to our group, the way he can slot in, and people around him supported him. It wasn’t just him in there, there’s Spenny [Ben Spencer], he was helping him from nine, everyone taking on duties, kickoffs, penalties, whatever it was. So, the load was shared which ultimately made his ride easier.”
The Gloucester match also saw the Bath debut of Santiago Carreras, fresh from an impressive Rugby Championship campaign with Argentina. In a twist of fate, Carreras faced his former club in his first outing for Bath, coming on for the final 22 minutes. De Glanville, who didn’t share the pitch with the newcomer, was full of praise for how Carreras was welcomed. “We just tried to make him feel as comfortable as possible in this group. We didn’t want him to go down to the pitch feeling like he wasn’t connected to us as a group of players... So, the quicker we made him feel comfortable, the more likely he was to feel comfortable with the pitch and perform well, like he did.”
De Glanville also emphasized the benefits of competition within the squad, especially among the outside backs. “I think competition is always good in every aspect. For me personally, learning off him, like Johann [van Graan] says, the players he brings in, everyone’s different. He’s [Santi Carreras] got a skill set that I might not have a similar skill set to, and being able to learn off him and talk to him about it, it’s just a brilliant experience.”
It’s clear that Director of Rugby Johann van Graan deserves credit for building a culture where new faces can thrive and veterans can keep pushing the standards higher. The final batch of Bath’s international contingent returned to Farleigh House on October 6, giving the squad a week to gel before the Gloucester clash. According to de Glanville, the transition was seamless. “Well, especially since Johann’s came here, speaking on a personal note, the way he’s gelled a squad and built this club up has been amazing. The people he’s brought in, the staff and players has been so special, just the way everyone sort of amalgamated to create this culture we have now is amazing.”
De Glanville also touched on how recent law changes have impacted his role as a fullback, particularly in the aerial battle. “It’s definitely been something of interest to me recently, how the aerial game has change with the new rules brought in. Learning, especially off nine, the way wingers are attacking the ball, it’s all changing completely. So, I think as fullbacks collectively, we have to start changing the way we approach and catch, because wingers are sort of ahead of the game.” He added, “At the moment, it’s in favour of the winger chasing the ball to win the ball back. So, have to change the way we [fullbacks] catch to get the one-up back on them.”
Looking ahead, Bath’s schedule offers little respite. The next test is a mouthwatering rematch of last season’s Premiership Final, as Bath travel to Welford Road to face fierce rivals Leicester Tigers on October 18. That’s followed by a home clash against Bristol Bears, a Premiership Rugby Cup fixture at Bristol, and a string of high-stakes matches including European ties against Munster and Toulon. The road ahead is packed, but if Bath’s early form is any indication, they’re not just aiming to defend their crown—they’re hungry for more.
With a perfect record, a squad brimming with talent and cohesion, and a culture that’s the envy of the league, Bath Rugby’s start to the 2025-2026 season has fans dreaming big. As the blue, black, and white prepare to lock horns with the Tigers, the rest of the Premiership is left wondering: can anyone stop this Bath juggernaut?
