Can James and Claassen Reunite Bath Rugby?

Butch James
By Glen Leat
July 9 2007

After a post season period of some despair, as other clubs appeared to be signing up all the talent, Bath Rugby have pulled off a real coup with the news that Butch James will be joining fellow countryman, Michael Classsens at the Rec after the World Cup.

After being accused of lacking ambition by many on ERE as well as those supporters who took the trouble to criticise the club in their letters to the Bath Chronicle,  Bob Calleja can sit back this evening sporting a wry grin knowing that he has possibly bagged the most exciting pairing of the summer. What price the season ticket holders who announced they would not re-join next season because the club is going nowhere?

Having (thankfully) missed out on Aussie sporting pensioner, Stephen Larkham, together with the likes of Cussiter, Paterson, Foden and Hernadez (and no doubt loads of others whose agents peppered the media with stories about their clients) there was much unrest in and around the Georgian City. Following hard on the heels of public criticism from the club skipper and several other senior players it looked as though the management of Bath Rugby was about to go down the plughole. 

However when I met with Bob Calleja for our podcast interview in June he was confident things would turn out well in the end but, perhaps more importantly, he was confident he is employing the right coaching team to with ideas and ambition to attract top players. It now looks as though Bob had every reason to be confident.

Time has now come for everyone to put behind them the (sometimes) bitter comments of recent months about poor management and get ready for a new season where we have an extremely strong squad which will be pushing for honours. If you've not renewed your season ticket you might want to think again!

Check out the Wiki profile of Butch James.