David Rogers/Getty Images having years joinedBath two ago, his want asarugby player.” hanging around here –it’s allyou can the boys ontheamazingpitches, then get much better. Training out there with and comeinto aplacelike Itdoesn’t this. with him.“You get upinthemorning Joseph withasmilewhen we up catch playing surface. pitches andanall-weather artificial two into atraining facility, complete with grounds were, in2010, transformed home. TheGrade buildingand IIlisted house, however. ’s is This more is like isn’tThis This it. justa andagrand pianoawaitcarpet inside. Bath, itfeels like we’ve this. earned manorjustoutside the 19th-century driveway that leadsto Farleigh House, as we drive gravel uptheimpeccable their first Premiership semi final since2010, wecheckouta Bath new-look they XV could makeupalmost halfof thestarting attheWorld Cup. Aheadof Bath Rugby hadoneplayer in England’s 2013SixNations squad. Twoyearson, HOME ADVANTAGE A Joseph week turned24this –but, “It’s isn’t alright, it?”says Jonathan huge staircases, Elegant rooms, plush interesting So, interview locations. Park. Amotorhometoilet. inRichmond dingy changingroom. Sport hasfound itselfinsome A disabled Adisabled awards. Ayoung who Englishtalent peers at theRugby Players’ Association and Englandplayer ofthe year by his week, hewas namedplayers’ player scorer intheSixNations, withfour. Last on to theinternational sceneastop try- career hasexploded He season. burst this this place,”this hesays. “A lotofclubswill they come downimportant andsee agenuine is sellingpoint. facility coach, says thehouse andtraining house, ofcourse.” my to comehere. decision Andthis they were in.Italladded bringing to ofplayertheir gameandthetype rugby they were to add to trying of especially interms of thestyle says Joseph. “Itjustsounded amazing, the club, andwhere itwanted to go,” and thethought processvision behind andheexplained Gold coach] Gary the what himinthefirstplace? attracted whatepitomises Bath are doing–so has shone intheWest Country, Joseph “When we’re recruiting aplayer, it’s Mike Ford, thecurrent Bath head “I had achat with[former head

the lads.” the whole time,andthat rubsoffon us asagroup. He’s lookingto improve to get better. to vision Andhesoldhis ownership ofBath, he’s always striving Through life andhis andbusiness, his has obviously beenthedriving force. explains:of theclubsince2011, “Bruce yours now; willbeyour this new home.’ is first time. ‘This He simply told them: House by busto address themfor the took theplayers to andstaff Farleigh Craig, having purchased the clubin2010, Bath’s revolution. goes Thestory that the multimillionaire mastermind behind The owner BruceCraig, inquestion is BRUCE’S BONUS whatever.” building anindoorcentre for us,or going. And,by theway, over there he’s what he’s investing; where is this we’re what is theowner is this about; this is actually What we dois can want to team inEurope.’ bethebest tell you theirambitionandsay: ‘We May 222015 Stuart Hooper,Stuart who hasbeen captain k | sport-magazine.co.uk show them: 27

but it’s tough. We decided we’ve got these young kids, so let’s grow a culture from “THE CLUB HAVE TRIED TO BUY CULTURE BEFORE, BUT within. The guys – the Band of Brothers, I call them – are with each other every day. I’m 49, so what they laugh about and IT’S TOUGH. WE’VE DECIDED WE’VE GOT THESE YOUNG watch and listen to I have no idea. They grow together, though. When JJ re-signs, he says: ‘What’s George doing?’ When KIDS, SO LET’S GROW A CULTURE FROM WITHIN” George re-signs, he says: ‘Are we staying together?’ Hopefully these guys will stay together for years and years.” If Craig’s enthusiasm is one driving this season, after clocking up 48, 44 and force behind Bath’s success, his deep 32 in their previous three campaigns NATIONAL INTEREST pockets have clearly helped. The owner respectively. It’s no wonder the backs What is working for Bath is clearly hasn’t been afraid to use his cash to are having fun. having an effect on the national team secure more than just the best training “It’s great to be in a backline where too, as Stuart Lancaster takes more and facilities. In terms of media attention, we can play,” agrees Joseph. “Some more interest in the West Country side. the acquisition of Sam Burgess last teams might not try and do many of the “Mine and Stuart’s philosophy is summer took some beating. Having things we do, but it’s part of the game. pretty similar anyway, which helps the decided to take the huge step from We want to entertain the fans, and we boys who are here,” explains Mike Ford. to union, Burgess could want to enjoy the game – that’s the best “I don’t think he’s gone: ‘Right, let’s take have picked from any number of clubs – way to go about it.” all the Bath players.’ The combinations but as soon as he saw what Bath had to Hooper adds: “Mike and the coaches are important, though; five of our backs offer, he was sold. really came up with the principle of how have played for England over the past “I sat in this room with Fordy and important the attacking game was. Score nine Tests, and England’s attack has Bruce,” he says. “Anyone who has a lot of points, and you’ll win games been outstanding. You don’t have to be spoken to Bruce knows he’s ambitious. and titles. The club has undertaken an a genius to see these kids have played It’s fantastic for Bath rugby to have identity report, almost a project, to look with courage; they’ve taken their no someone leading the ship who is that back at the history of Bath and see what -fear environment here into England.” ambitious. He believes what he says, common factors came out from the past Joseph adds: “England will look at the and follows through on it. He told me that we can reignite now: playing heads- way Bath play because it is an attractive Bath were going to be a force. That was a up rugby, looking to attack, looking to style and it is a good way to play the selling point. I wanted to come and play dominate the opposition, and being game. There’s no reason England can’t in a great team, and I’m thankful that proactive rather than reactive. You can play the same way, especially looking at I’ve got an opportunity to do that here.” see these things in Bath sides of the the players available. And, if that’s the It’s certainly hard to argue. After past, and it’s what we’re doing now.” way they want to play, that’s good for us.” finishing eighth, seventh and fifth in the We ask Mike Ford about the new Lancaster named his 45-man squad previous three seasons, Bath are in their beginnings of ‘Brand Bath’. for the World Cup earlier this week. first Premiership semi final since 2010 “George was the catalyst,” he says How many of the Bath players named this weekend – and they have home of the exciting fly-half who happens to make the final cut remains to be seen. advantage against Leicester. be his son. “We signed him first, which But there’s something special bubbling encouraged Sam to come, for example, away at Bath, and it’s showing no signs SCORING FOR FUN Bath time: (left to and encouraged JJ to come. Then of disappearing down the drain. It is the manner in which Bath have right) George Ford, Anthony Watson follows. It wasn’t a grand Mark Coughlan @coffers83 gone about achieving their success that Stuart Hooper, head masterplan. We stumbled on it, and then coach Mike Ford, Jonathan The world’s biggest club rugby final, the has most grabbed the eye. With a young Joseph and Sam Burgess you start thinking: ‘Oh, this is working.’ English spine, Mike Ford’s side play an are ready to face Leicester “The club have tried to buy culture Aviva Final, is on attacking, entertaining brand of rugby. Tigers in their Premiership before, and bring in a culture – it’s May 30. Junior tickets start at £12.50. They have scored 72 tries in the league semi final at the Rec difficult. I’m not saying it can’t be done, Visit premiershiprugby.com/final David Rogers/Getty Images for Aviva

28 sport-magazine.co.uk | May 22 2015