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.
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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.
Alfie Barbeary (left) and Bath team-mate Tom De Glanville celebrate on the pitch at the Rec – Getty Images/Simon Galloway
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?
Barbeary, understandably, proved popular with Batch supporters keen to get a selfie with the hooker – Pinnacle Photo Agency/Tom Sandberg
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.
Bruce Craig (left), owner of Bath Rugby, celebrates with Finn Russell, who will join up with the British and Irish Lions on Monday – Pinnacle Photo Agency/Tom Sandberg
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.
Beno Obano (left) shakes hands with Phil de Glanville, the former Bath centre – Pinnacle Photo Agency/Tom Sandberg
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 city of Bath welcomed home its heroes on Sunday afternoon – Pinnacle Photo Agency/Tom Sandberg
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.
Players and backroom staff were able to show off their trophy haul following an extraordinary season – Pinnacle Photo Agency/Tom Sandberg
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