I don’t really follow English domestic rugby, making an effort only for internationals. Slightly odd that, given that I grew up in Bath, a rugby mad town. Over the years have known several of the players, but that mostly from having a pint or two with them. Anyway, they’re in the Powergen Cup final and they do have something of a record in this competition dominating its predecessor in the 1980s. This one in particular I remember:

Bath 25 Wasps 17 1986 

Bath: Martin; Trick, Palmer (capt), Halliday, Swift; Barnes, Hill; Chilcott, Dawe, Lee, Redman, Morrison, Hall, Spurrell, Simpson.

Pre professional days of course (well, shamateur if you wish) but looking at those names, went to school with one of them, another was the building society manager, another ran a chauffered limo business as part of the same group I worked for, one threw me out of a nightclub when he owned it and was working as the bouncer, and I’m pretty sure that the team also included the barman of my favourite watering hole.

Slightly odd experience watching a group like that run on to the pitch at Twickenham and win a cup final, you feel something of a direct connection with them, more than their just being the team you support.