Latest news with #EuropeanChallengeCup
ITV News
12 hours ago
- Business
- ITV News
Could Bath Rugby's new stadium be one step closer?
For decades, Bath Rugby has been hoping to develop its home to better suit the needs of a team fighting for top spot on the top table of rugby. That could now be closer than ever after the club's CEO has exclusively revealed to ITV News that the latest plans for the site have received UNESCO approval. In September of 2023 I was invited to The Rec, which has been the home of the blue, black and whites since 1894, to meet the club's CEO Tarquin McDonald on the day that new plans for the site were submitted. His energy for the project and commitment to ensuring the long-term future of the club brought a real sense of excitement for the supporters. The plans included a total overhaul of the dated, limited and in some places temporary stands. They would mean a rejuvenation of the club's home on the side of the River Avon. On that day, he reiterated that if a potential update of the site was continually blocked they could be forced to move out of the city, something of concern to both the club's hierarchy, players and fans alike. Generations have seen and heard this before though, as plans to redevelop the site go back years. There have unfortunately always been stumbling blocks. But now, a new 18,000 seater stadium on the existing site is edging towards approval. What do the plans look like? The plans for this site have been amended slightly from the original proposals. More than 3,600 people commented on the initial application in late 2023. Updated plans have lowered the height of the west and east stands, redesigned their facades and introduced a curved roof. What has stayed the same is the capacity, 18,000 seats for the high-flying side. An increase from 14,500. It's hoped however, that it will help secure the financial future of the team. Bath currently pay £1,000,000 each season for the use of the temporary structure of their stands. There has always been a threat that if development wasn't to happen, the team may be forced to a purpose-built stadium further in to Somerset. But now, with the club making monumental strides on the pitch, it is very close to being the given green light to make the same progress off it. A total of 5,000 public comments in support of the stadium redevelopment have been submitted since the original planning submission. What have Bath Rugby said? Speaking exclusively to ITV News ahead of Bath Rugby's European Challenge Cup victory over Lyon at the Principality Stadium the club's CEO confirmed that a new home could be closer than ever. 'Look, we're in great shape. We submitted updated plans and at the start of the year, we have literally in the last two or three days, we've had approval from UNESCO's World Heritage, which is so important in Bath, they've said no objection to the designs, which is amazing. 'So we've got a couple of agencies that we need to get over the line and then we hope to get to a planning committee in the next few months and and hopefully we get approval. 'That's what we hope very much will happen. And then from there to really create something very special in the centre above. 'Where we're at now is we've got as a club, we've got amazing coaches, we've got amazing players. 'What we want to do is we want to be able to continue to deliver winning rugby in the center up and really inspire the city and inspire the next generation of rugby players. 'We need a permanent home and we need a bigger home. And the plans that we've submitted will enable us to do that. What we're going to deliver is jobs. We're going to deliver economic growth, we're going to deliver an amazing place, one of the top stadiums in the world to play rugby. And it will secure the long term funding and sustainability of the club. 'So it's a win, win and we believe that we're getting very close to the point where we can think about construction and building that stadium and regenerating the riverside in Bath.'
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Finn Russell to get new Scotland teammate at Bath as high-flyers move fast after injury blow
Gloucester back to join Challenge Cup winners next season Sign up to our Rugby Union newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Chris Harris will swell the Scottish contingent at Bath next season after agreeing to move to the recently crowned European Challenge Cup winners. Harris, 34, is to leave Gloucester after six years to join their West Country rivals where he will link up with fellow Scotland internationals Finn Russell, Cameron Redpath and Josh Bayliss. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He has been signed as injury cover for Ollie Lawrence who faces a long recovery period after undergoing surgery on a ruptured Achilles tendon he sustained during England's Six Nations win against Italy in March. Chris Harris has made more than 150 appearances for Gloucester. | Getty Images Harris has made 158 Premiership appearances for Gloucester having joined the club in 2019 from Newcastle Falcons. Capped 46 times by Scotland, he was also a Test Lion on the 2021 tour of South Africa. He has enjoyed a fine season with Gloucester and will now join a club who hope to be crowned Premiership champions next month. 'Bath Rugby is delighted to announce the signing of centre Chris Harris from Gloucester Rugby on a one-year deal,' Bath said in a statement. 'Harris joins on injury dispensation for Lawrence who suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during England's Six Nations win over Italy in March and will miss the start of next season.' Harris in international wilderness Harris has drifted out of the international picture with Scotland and was last capped in the 84-0 win over Romania at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in Lille. He has remained a first pick for Gloucester and has played 19 games for them this season, 17 as a starter. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I'm delighted to have the opportunity to join Bath and get to play with some great friends and great talent,' he said. 'The culture translates on the pitch and I'm excited to get started.'
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Cai Evans eyeing autumn comeback after new Dragons deal
The 25-year-old is on the comeback trail after rupturing his right Achilles in the European Challenge Cup defeat to Pau in January. Evans is eyeing an autumn comeback and has agreed a fresh deal with the club that will keep him at Rodney Parade for at least one year, with clauses for an option beyond that. The twice-capped back will add to the 20 appearances he has made since heading east from the Ospreys, fuelled by a frustrating campaign. Evans missed the start of last season with a hamstring problem and went off just 35 minutes into his comeback game at Connacht. He returned in the winter but then his Achilles snapped as he was getting into position to claim a high ball against Pau, ending his campaign after just six outings. BLOW: Cai Evans ruptured his right Achilles in the Dragons' loss to Pau (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency) He said: 'I'm delighted to re-sign with the Dragons, a proud club, and I'm grateful for the opportunity once again to showcase my ability. 'I am driven to move forward from what has been a challenging season with significant injuries, and I am massively thankful for the support I've received from the staff and my teammates. 'What hasn't wavered is my self-belief, and I can't wait to get my boots back on and play in front of a rocking Rodney Parade soon. 'The drive on the pitch is to achieve more consistent and winning performances. The signings we've made, alongside a talented group of young players, will hopefully turn these narrow losses into wins. I can't wait to be a part of it.' Evans and Angus O'Brien can play both 10 and 15, new signing Tinus de Beer and Wales Under-20s international Harri Ford are contenders at fly-half while Huw Anderson had a breakthrough season and is an option at full-back along with Ewan Rosser. The Dragons released Lloyd Evans and Jordan Williams at the end of last season while playmaker Will Reed cut short his contract in order to get regular game time with Worcester in the English Championship. DEAL: Dragons full-back/fly-half Cai Evans has signed a new contract (Image: Gruffydd Thomas/Huw Evans Agency) Evans will add to head coach Filo Tiatia's options after the opening months of a campaign, which gets under way on at Ulster on Friday, September 26. 'We're pleased that Cai is staying with us and looking forward to him coming back to full fitness,' said the boss. 'Cai has been unfortunate over the last 12 months, particularly as he was producing some good performances before his injury. 'His ability to play in both the 10 and 15 jersey is an asset to our squad and he is a hard-working individual who is determined and focussed on making a successful playing return next season.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Sam Underhill to miss Bath's treble tilt after four-match ban
Sam Underhill was shown a yellow card after making head-on-head contact with Davit Niniashvili during Bath's Challenge Cup victory over Lyon - Premier Sports Sam Underhill will miss the end of the Premiership season and Bath's tilt at a historic treble after receiving a four-match ban for a dangerous tackle in the Challenge Cup final victory over Lyon. The England flanker, who has been in fine form since returning from injury and suspension, was cited after receiving a yellow card from referee Hollie Davidson for his head-on-head collision with Lyon full-back Davit Niniashvili in the first half of the 37-12 victory in Cardiff. In a hearing on Tuesday, the 28-year-old accepted that he had committed an act of foul play but denied that it met the red-card threshold. Advertisement The disciplinary panel disagreed, concluding that Underhill had tackled Niniashvili in a 'dangerous manner' and that the collision warranted a red card. The panel adjudged that the offence was at the mid-range of World Rugby's sanctions and that a six-week ban was the appropriate entry point. Two weeks were removed for Underhill's remorse and foul-play acceptance but due to his prior disciplinary record – this is his second ban this season for a dangerous tackle – there was no further mitigation and the final suspension stands at four weeks. European Professional Club Rugby added in its statement that 'the date when Underhill can return to play will be determined once his future playing schedule is confirmed'. Still available for England and Lions While the ban precludes Underhill from any involvement in Bath's hopes of lifting a first Premiership title in 29 years, the flanker could still feature in all of England's Tests against Argentina and the USA this summer and, even, Lions matches in the event of a late call-up. Advertisement Underhill will certainly miss Bath's trip to Saracens this weekend and their Premiership semi-final at the Rec six days later. Should Bath reach the final, then that would act as the third match of Underhill's ban. An England XV face a France XV at Twickenham a week later and the flanker, technically, will be eligible to play in that match and Telegraph Sport understands that the Rugby Football Union are expecting that to be included in any ban, as the fourth match, so long as Bath reach the Premiership final. If Bath lose their home semi-final on Friday June 6 then the first Test against Argentina in La Plata on July 5 will be included in Underhill's ban no matter what. The West Country side have already won the Premiership Rugby Cup as well as the European Challenge Cup. Advertisement Although Bath are not short of quality back-rowers, Underhill's absence will still be keenly felt. Ted Hill and Miles Reid started alongside the flanker on the back row in the victory over Lyon, with Guy Pepper coming off the bench. Underhill missed all of England's Six Nations campaign owing to injury but has returned in characteristic form, earning the player-of-the-match award as Bath defeated Edinburgh in the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup in the Scottish capital. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Underhill to miss rest of Bath's season with ban
Flanker Sam Underhill will miss the rest of Bath's season after being given a four-week ban for a dangerous tackle during the club's European Challenge Cup final victory against Lyon. Underhill was shown a yellow card for the head-on-head collision with Lyon full-back Davit Niniashvili in the 26th minute. The England international was cited on Monday for the incident, and an independent panel upheld the complaint that it warranted a red card. Underhill will be unavailable for Bath's match against Saracens on Saturday, as well as their Premiership semi-final on Friday, 6 June. He would be unavailable if the club were to reach the Premiership final at Twickenham on 14 June, and if selected for England this summer, would also be unavailable to face France on 21 June and potentially Argentina on 5 July. The tackle was reviewed by referee Hollie Davidson and the television match officials during the game, with a change in direction from Niniashvili before the collision deemed a mitigating factor to downgrade the incident from red to yellow. At a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday, Underhill accepted he had committed an act of foul play but did not accept it warranted a red card. The committee determined it was a mid-range offence, which would warrant a six-week ban, and downgraded it to four due to Underhill's remorse. But they were unable to reduce it further due to Underhill's prior record. The 28-year-old was given a three-week ban in April after also being sent off by Davidson during Bath's Challenge Cup quarter-final victory against Lyon in April. Underhill, who has 41 caps for England, has made 13 appearances for Bath this season. Bath's Challenge Cup win a 'long time coming' Bath overpower Lyon to win European Challenge Cup Cokanasiga has 'hunger' to play for England again
