A SALE BEFORE THE SEASON
JvG: Academy core
By Bath Supporter Jack
September 2 2026
It seems very strange to be playing a “PREM” Cup game in very early September sandwiched between the friendly pre-season game at Perpignan and the pre-season friendlies against Bedford and a tougher warm up match against Glasgow. The format remains the same as last year and in our Pool, we have Sale, Bristol, Gloucester and Exeter and we play all of the teams home and away.
Our first fixture is an away fixture against Sale. Sale have already announced their team and their selection rather sets the tone for their involvement in this competition. Having had a poor season in 2025-2026 coming seventh, albeit a large 18 points behind Bristol in 6th place it looks like they are targeting this tournament to provide some success.
All Clubs address this competition, as they should do, to suit their own needs and development. Since JVG arrived at Bath we have typically put out younger teams based around the Academy and the younger non first team players. This has given these players valuable game time and I would say has created a very healthy pipeline of young players who can be confidently selected on an ad hoc basis for the First Team.
In the pecking order of status for the trophies available in English rugby the PREM Cup, in my view, ranks 4 out of 4. However, as I state above it is a very valuable vehicle for young player development.
The Bath team selection, I suspect, will be very similar to the 15 selected for the friendly warm up match against Perpignan. The “bench” was made up of a cast of “1,000’s” and I do not believe that selecting Henry Arundell, Quinn Roux and Miles Reid does anything for Bath when the whole season is considered.
This team held their own against a strong Perpignan team for three out of the four quarters, and it is hoped that they can build on that against what is a very strong Sale Team.
Unfortunately I see a Sale win but hope for a positive performance for a young team for whom this will be a tough test from which they will learn a lot.
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As you say, clubs take different approaches and some view the PRC as a stepping stone- an "easier" trophy en route to bigger prizes. That may be Sale's motivation.
As for our selection, I largely agree with your point re the bench, but we might want to give Jamie Bhatti a runout and perhaps Jaco Coetzee too.
PG
For example at least 15 of your 23 need to be below 25
Only three players who has played more than, say 30 times for the first team can be selected.
So this would allow your proposals above of experienced players returning from injury.
A million years ago when I was involved in coaching mini rugby we would play several good players with the not so good ones. The good ones were capable of passing very well and so the not so good ones were presented with a good quality pass that they could catch and were then able to move on and practice their passing. So the good helped the not so good improve. The same sort of thing could apply for the PREM Cup squads
An approach that helps build confidence and squad strength. Myself and fellow coaches did it with our mini age group & it pid off. We also promoted promising reserve players regularly into the first selection for a game or two - which helped their development and strengthened reserve performance when they revertred.
PG
Quote:Bath Supporter Jack
For example at least 15 of your 23 need to be below 25
Only three players who has played more than, say 30 times for the first team can be selected.
These get a bit complicated IMO - I would say a minimum of dozen of the 23 need to be in the academy and and leave it at that.
[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]