Pictured: Bath's celebrations prove that rugby union still has characters

Telegraph

7 hours ago

There is a perception that rugby union no longer has the characters of yesteryear, stifled by the advent of professionalism. It is fair to say that Bath 's players, and owner, sought to put that notion to bed on a raucous Sunday night in the West Country.
This was a celebration featuring budgie smugglers, wadges of £20 notes and copious amounts of alcohol, and it was very well deserved. It had been 29 years since Bath had last been English domestic champions but they ended that dismal run with a 23-21 victory over Leicester Tigers at Allianz Stadium on Saturday, putting the seal on one of the all-time great seasons. The Gallagher Premiership victory completed a treble, with the Premiership Rugby Cup and European Challenge Cup already in the trophy cabinet.
And, with the silverware secure, Bath were determined to party in style – and they did, with a couple of well-known figures to the fore.
Barbeary puts it all on show
It is difficult to start with anyone other than Alfie Barbeary. The former Wasp is clearly not short on confidence, and having been at the centre of celebrations at Twickenham on Saturday he continued in similar fashion on Sunday.
The Bath-branded budgie smugglers may be the stocking filler fans did not know they needed, but it feels particularly unusual to have paired the swimwear with white socks and smart black shoes.
Everyone – including team-mate Tom de Glanville and assorted fans – wanted pictures taken with Barbeary, and frankly who can blame them?
Russell gets his payment direct from Craig
Fly-half Finn Russell is believed to earn £1 million a year, but no-one in Bath would argue he is not worth every penny after his display in Saturday's final. That would no doubt include owner Bruce Craig, who finally got his hands on the reward he deserved after years of bankrolling Bath without winning major trophies. And the money men did not seem short of cash on Sunday afternoon, with Russell happily waving around a wadge of £20 notes in front of Craig on the bus around town. Either way, it certainly seemed money well spent.
Obano gets stuck in
Along with high spirits there were alcoholic spirits on show, with prop Beno Obano holding what appeared to be a nearly finished bottle of cognac on the pitch at the Recreation Ground during the celebrations. No wonder he was celebrating; Obano was sent-off in last year's Premiership final, though that nightmare has now been exorcised.
Bath comes alive
Is there a more picturesque city in England for a victory parade than Bath? Probably not, particularly on a gorgeous sunny day with thousands on the streets.
The open-top bus parade looked quite the picture, with captain Ben Spencer and Johann van Graan, the head coach, leading the well-deserved celebrations that showed Bath's characters off to the full.