Bath Rugby have surged to the summit of the Gallagher Premiership table after a commanding 38-17 victory over Gloucester Rugby at The Rec on October 11, 2025. This Derby Weekend clash, played in front of a raucous, sold-out crowd of 14,509, showcased Bath’s attacking prowess and defensive grit as they became the only team to win all three of their opening matches this season.
From the opening whistle, Bath looked every bit the reigning champions. Head coach Johann van Graan’s side wasted no time asserting their dominance, racing to a staggering 28-0 lead inside the first half hour. The home fans barely had time to settle before Ollie Lawrence’s clever kick ahead found Henry Arundell, whose quick thinking and pace set up Tom de Glanville for the opening try in the seventh minute. Finn Russell, Bath’s talismanic captain, slotted the conversion with ease.
Bath’s pack then took center stage, with hooker Tom Dunn powering over from a maul just thirteen minutes later. Russell’s boot was again true, and the hosts doubled their advantage. The relentless pressure continued as Lawrence himself crossed for Bath’s third try, capitalizing on slick recycling after another Arundell break. Russell made it three-for-three with the conversions, and the scoreboard read 21-0.
The bonus point was sealed before the half-hour mark when Ewan Richards kicked ahead from 30 meters out, gathered the ball, and slid over just to the right of the posts. Russell’s fourth conversion capped a near-perfect opening spell for Bath, whose 52% possession and 58% territory underscored their control. Gloucester, meanwhile, struggled to gain a foothold, entering Bath’s 22 just eleven times compared to Bath’s fourteen.
But rugby’s a game of momentum swings, and Gloucester finally broke through on the stroke of halftime. Will Joseph, showing dazzling footwork, burst from midfield and evaded several defenders to touch down in the right corner. Ross Byrne converted, giving the visitors a glimmer of hope as the teams headed to the dressing rooms with Bath leading 28-7.
The second half brought drama and a potential turning point. Bath’s captain Finn Russell was shown a yellow card in the 50th minute by referee Karl Dickson for kicking the ball while on the ground in a ruck. Down to fourteen men, Bath suddenly looked vulnerable. Gloucester pounced on the opportunity, with Charlie Atkinson’s lofted pass finding Ollie Thorley in space for a try on the left. Byrne’s conversion attempt hit the post, but Gloucester weren’t done yet.
Moments later, Joseph ignited another blistering run, this time covering 50 meters before Ben Loader finished off the move in the right corner. Byrne was again denied by the woodwork, but Gloucester had slashed the deficit to 28-17 and the home crowd grew anxious. Had Byrne converted both second-half tries, the margin would have been just seven points with a quarter of the match remaining—a tantalizing prospect for the visitors.
Yet Bath’s composure never wavered. Van Graan responded by introducing Santi Carreras and Chris Harris—both ex-Gloucester men—at the hour mark, injecting fresh legs and experience. Russell’s return from the sin bin was greeted with relief, and he immediately steadied the ship with a 23-meter penalty, extending Bath’s lead to 31-17. It was a crucial moment, halting Gloucester’s momentum and reasserting the home side’s authority.
The decisive blow came in the 66th minute, when Ewan Richards sprinted in from 25 meters to notch Bath’s fifth try. Russell, maintaining a flawless record from the tee, added his sixth successful kick of the day. The hosts thought they’d scored a sixth try through Joe Cokanasiga, but the television match official ruled a knock-on earlier in the move. Replacement hooker Kepueli Tuipulotu was also denied late on, with another knock-on spotted just before the line.
Russell’s all-around brilliance did not go unnoticed—he was awarded the Pol Roger Performance of the Match before being replaced by Neil le Roux in the closing stages. With the game firmly in hand, Bath saw out the final minutes with professionalism, nearly adding to their tally but ultimately settling for a 38-17 triumph.
This win cements Bath’s status as early favorites in the 2025/26 Gallagher Premiership campaign. The victory also means they are the only team with a perfect record after three rounds, sitting two points clear atop the standings with 15 points, a +49 points difference, and three try bonus points. According to FloRugby, "Bath Rugby remains the lone undefeated team heading into Round 4 in the Gallagher PREM rugby standings after a dramatic Derby Weekend full of action."
The Derby Weekend was notable for the return of British & Irish Lions stars, including Finn Russell and Marcus Smith, who rejoined their clubs after post-tour rest. Russell’s leadership and precision were on full display, while elsewhere Marcus Smith guided Harlequins to their first win of the season over Saracens. The Premiership’s best and brightest are back, raising the standard across the league.
Other Derby Weekend results saw Sale Sharks thrash Newcastle Red Bulls 57-5, Bristol Bears edge Exeter Chiefs 18-14, Northampton Saints outlast Leicester Tigers 32-26, and Harlequins topple Saracens 20-14. But it’s Bath who have set the early pace, combining ruthless attack with defensive steel.
Bath’s starting XV featured the likes of Beno Obano, Tom Dunn, Will Stuart, Ewan Richards, Ross Molony, Guy Pepper, Sam Underhill, Josh Bayliss, Tom Carr-Smith, Finn Russell, Henry Arundell, Max Ojomoh, Ollie Lawrence, Joe Cokanasiga, and Tom de Glanville. The bench provided further depth, with Francois van Wyk, Thomas du Toit, Miles Reid, Alfie Barbeary, Neil le Roux, Santi Carreras, and Chris Harris all making contributions.
Gloucester, for their part, showed flashes of quality, particularly during Bath’s numerical disadvantage. Will Joseph’s try was a highlight, and the visitors’ resilience will give head coach George Skivington positives to build on despite sitting ninth in the table with three defeats. Their ability to capitalize on opportunities, especially when Bath were down to fourteen, showed that no lead is truly safe in the Premiership.
Looking ahead, Bath will travel to face Leicester Tigers at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Saturday, October 18th, with kickoff set for 3:05 pm. It’s a rematch of last season’s Premiership final and promises to be another stern test for van Graan’s men as they seek to extend their perfect start.
With the season still in its infancy, Bath Rugby have thrown down the gauntlet. Their blend of power, pace, and precision has made them the team to beat. The rest of the Premiership will be watching closely—can anyone catch the Blue, Black & White?
