The great and much missed Jack Rowell stalked the changing room as we all absorbed the sobering defeat by Leicester Tigers up at Welford Road in January 1983. Inspired by the likes of Clive Woodward, Paul Dodge and Dusty Hare they had seen off the challenge of a Bath team which was daring to dream of a position at the top of English rugby. He told us never to forget how we all felt and to use the hurt to drive ourselves forward.

With the likes of Gareth ‘Coochie’ Chilcott, the piratical captain Roger Spurrell, our own playboy Simon Jones, John Horton, David Trick, John Hall and John Palmer in the mix we heeded big Jack’s words. A record run of 23 wins home and away followed, many achieved at the fortress homes of Welsh rugby such as Neath, Swansea, Llanelli, Pontypool, Cardiff. It was the start of an era.

Leicester Tigers were once undisputed Champions of England and Bristol and Gloucester were citadels of rugby rarely toppled on their home ground. The likes of Waterloo and Orrell awaited up in the inhospitable North. Ironically Rosslyn Park was the London team we all struggled with, but they all fell to Rowell’s Bath and the homegrown talent being generated by the coaching team which included the great, incomparable Tom Hudson.

Our trips to Leicester became legendary. We stopped in leafy Cotswolds towns en route and prepared ourselves for the hostility of both the crowd and the team. A 40 pointer in 1986 on their home ground shocked English rugby and showed we were here to stay. A narrow Cup Final win over the fading, toothless giants in 1989 was our fourth in five years and Leicester became another name on the totem pole of Bath Rugby’s inexorable success.

All built on family values, jealous pride, commitment to each other, hard work, undoubted skill and ultimately, a sense of humility. Which brings us to Johann Van Graan’s Bath, who stand on the edge of a remarkable achievement and reflect similar attributes.

I have met him a few times at mini rugby, and before that in Munster. That has been enough to understand his values. I have been to Farleigh House and read the words of inspiration and meaning written on the walls to remind the players and staff of their part in this story. They provide a contrast to the palatial surroundings. I bumped into Tom Dunn last year and our conversation left me in no doubt they mean business. I am not surprised to see what is happening. I love the modesty of their celebrations, led by Ben Spencer who is a player reborn if I have ever seen one. Many Bath players of my era should have played more for England, he joins that list and will go down in history as one of the greatest players to pull on a No 9 shirt for this club. Finn Russell has curbed some of his maverick talent for the greater good, although I bet he will use Twickenham to remind people of his prodigious and game-changing talent.

This squad is home grown and plays for the shirt despite some cheap, grubby comments from the likes of the rough Diamond who has been trying in vain to polish his own coals from Newcastle. I have seen most of these same players labouring at the bottom of the league seemingly unable to buy a victory a few years ago.They have dug deep and looked into their souls to bring about this revival. The England Double Grand Slam squad of the early 90’s were largely the serial underperformers of the mid 80’s (excluding Jerry to be fair!). A sense of loyalty, trust and belief brought in by Geoff Cooke and his coaching team played a key part as these values do in all sport and in life in general.

Van Graan, Lee Blackett, JP Ferreira, Andy Robinson and all the off-field staff have empowered these players, this club, this City and these supporters to imagine how they can create their own history. I am not the only Bath ‘Old Boy’ to be talking this week about the pride we all feel to see this group pitching for glory. After last year’s defeat against Northampton Saints, Bath has a score to settle. I wish it could be against the same opposition as the Midlanders are clearly the ‘other’ star side in England. However, the history of the Tigers, their fanatical support and strong play will make for a great occasion. They say goodbye to some great rugby names, Pollard, Youngs, Cole, Brown and Montoya. With a deckful of Internationals and all that emotion, together with Cheika’s undoubted tactical brilliance, they will ask Bath Rugby all the questions. The way that the Saints prevailed against Leinster in the Champions Cup semifinal will serve as a warning signal to the boys in Blue,Black and White.

One point will be enough, ‘never in doubt boys!’as Chilcott would say after every closely fought victory. It seems that Johann Van Graan has built something special.I am not tempting fate because every sportsperson knows that the difference between defeat and victory can be a single moment but if those values this group believe in are laid out on the pitch at Twickenham then surely Bath will not be denied. The House that Jack built is an edifice on it’s own and evergreen, but this club, loyally backed through thick and thin by its passionate owner Bruce Craig, is making it’s own history and creating it’s own stories.

You can tell that I am a little bit excited.

Hallers