Club profile: Bath

Lions star Danny Grewcock should prove a big hit at Bath

Following their strong showing at the end of last season, Bath will hope to maintain the momentum with a fast start in the new campaign as they look to bring some long-awaited silverware back to the West Country.

The suspicion remains that Bath have to hit the ground running as, come the heavier winter pitches, their quick-silver backs may have trouble doing just that.

Jon Callard is trying to bring a style of "total rugby" to the Rec, and although the attraction is there for all to see, the trophy cabinet remains bare.

The former England international is striving to repeat the glory days of a decade ago and come the end of the season it will be apparent whether this summer's movements in and out of the club have proved beneficial in bridging the divide.

The last link with the golden era and the likes of Barnes, Redman and Swift, Callard apart, are now gone in what is essentially a changing of the guard.

Ben Clarke, Martin Haag, Phil de Glanville and Jeremy Guscott have all moved on, and despite the arrival of Danny Grewcock, such an exodus may result in one step forward and two steps back.

If Bath are going to mount a serious challenge they need to take at least two steps forward and only one back.

Dan Lyle and Mike Catt, two older heads who will be aided by Grewcock, will look to nurture the younger players around them.

Grewcock, the former Saracens second row, was one of the stars of the Lions tour to Australia and will provide an immense force all around the pitch.

While Grewcock's motivation will be to maintain the heights he reached Down Under, his new team-mate, Iain Balshaw, will be keen to return to his scintillating best and prove his form on tour was a one-off.

Balshaw is the jewel in the crown in a backline that incorporates experience, strength and dependability in the guise of Catt, Mike Tindall and Matt Perry.

Inside them at half back a mouth-watering new combination provides the youthful verve that will underpin Bath's season.

Gareth Cooper and Olly Barkley, a 19-year-old international who made his debut for England this summer before pulling on a Bath shirt, will wear nine and 10 respectively.

Lyle, the club captain and number eight, and Catt, at inside centre, will sandwich the new pairing.

If youth and experience can blend, lasting the season on fast and slow pitches alike, the glory days of yesteryear will be a step closer.

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Facts and figures

Ground: Recreation Ground
Coach: Jon Callard
Captain: Dan Lyle
Last season: Third

Players in: Andy Beattie (Exeter), Simon Danielli (Bristol), Danny Grewcock (Saracens).

Players out: Adedayo Adebayo (Parma), Shaun Berne (NSW Waratahs), Ben Clarke (Worcester), Angus Gardiner (New Zealand), Phil de Glanville (retired), Jeremy Guscott (retired), Martin Haag (Penzance), Jon Preston (New Zealand).