At the commencement of pre-season training, Head of Rugby Johann van Graan has added Andy Robinson and Stevie Scott to his coaching team for the 2023/24 season.
With 249 Bath Rugby appearances to his name, and returning to the club 25 years after leading Bath to European victory, Robinson has been appointed the club’s new Head Academy Coach.
He will head up Bath Rugby’s Premiership Rugby Cup fixtures in the early stages of the competition, lending his international-level experience to Head of Academy, Craig Lilley, to bring out the young players’ full potential.
The former Bath Rugby Head Coach will also play a part in van Graan’s senior coaching team as Contact Coach. Robinson assisted Bath Rugby in the latter part of the 2022/23 season as a consultant, where the team finished eighth in the Premiership table and secured their place in the Champions Cup.
Of his appointment, Robinson said: “I’m glad to be back at Bath and I’m looking forward to making a change on the pitch. There’s a great group of players here and I’m excited to see what I can achieve with the team.”
“Robinson brings with him a wealth of knowledge from his time on the international stage assisting in England’s 2003 World Cup victory, as well as being Head Coach of Scotland and Romania.”
Acknowledging Robinson’s connection with Bath, van Graan said: “I’m excited to have Andy with us and I couldn’t think of a better man to coach here at Bath.”
“Andy has achieved a tremendous amount in both his playing and coaching career and is a well-known face in the city. It’ll be great for all of us here to have someone so deeply connected to Bath’s professional rugby history.”
“The club can also confirm that Stevie Scott has joined the Blue, Black and White ahead of the 2023/24 season as the new Scrum Coach.”
Sir Ian McGeechan’s dream team
BACK-THREE
Fullback: JPR Williams (Wales) – “Not a staggeringly original choice, I’ll admit. But to my mind the only one. If I’m going to be picking a dream XV over the next few days then I want JPR at the back. No question.”
Left-wing: Jonah Lomu (New Zealand) – “Illness and injury ultimately slowed him down. But his performances at the 1995 World Cup, just as the game was turning professional, will never be forgotten. The game needed a superstar, and it got one in Lomu. He was brilliant for rugby.”
Right-wing: John Kirwan (New Zealand) – “He had an all round game; he could carry the ball through heavy traffic, he could offload, he was like an extra back-rower at times. Plus, he had natural effortless pace. He ended up scoring 35 tries for the All Blacks and was instrumental as they went through their unbeaten spell of games between 1987 and 1990.”
CENTRES
Outside-centre: Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland) – “His ability to get back on his feet after tackling to compete for the ball was extraordinary, and ensured he always had an impact on the game, whatever type of game it was. He was such a natural talent.”
Inside-centre: Philippe Sella (France) – “Sella and O’Driscoll were powerful men. They could stop a forward in his tracks. I think as a pair they would dominate any midfield and I like the thought of them together.”