‘Every team has weaknesses’ – Bath up to Bordeaux challengeImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Johann van Graan is hoping to lead Bath to a first European Champions Cup final since 1998BySophie HurcomBBC Sport England, West of EnglandPublished57 minutes agoThere are few arenas in world rugby as high pressure as a trip to Bordeaux Begles.The reigning Champions Cup holders have a galaxy of France international stars at their disposal and brushed aside another juggernaut team in Toulouse to get to Sunday’s European semi-final, which also will played right down the road from their home stadium, in their home city.
But during the past three seasons under head of rugby Johann van Graan, Bath have become a team that are used to handling pressure and, even more than that, thriving in it.
“Before Johann came I remember someone showed us a clip of Saracens and it was Mako [Vunipola] talking after the European final about how calm they were, and I feel like this group feels that way,” prop Beno Obano stated.
“Shout out to Johann, he’s done that with this group.
“In these big games we’re just so calm – everything we need is in the team, everything we need is in the circle. It’s empowering.
“We’ve played in those games and whatever happens, wherever the chips may fall, we’ll be calm and composed and we’ll land on what we have to do quite nicely.”
