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.
This squad is home grown and plays for the shirt. 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.
Hallers
