Bath 'don't feel burden' of history in Premiership final
Van Graan's side ended the club's 17-year trophy drought earlier in the campaign by lifting the Premiership Rugby Cup before winning the European Challenge Cup last month with victory over Lyon in Cardiff.
Bath, one of the traditional powerhouses of English rugby, last won the league in 1996 for their sixth title in a decade of dominance.
But former Munster coach Van Graan said his men remain focused on writing their own chapter by completing what would be a memorable treble.
"When I joined Bath, you look at the history, the tradition, you read up on the club, and you see that this club at a time was incredibly successful, specifically through the 1980s and the 90s," said the South African.
"One thing that we all did together is we respect our history, but we started the club at zero in our minds on July 11, 2022 (when he joined the club).
"We respect everybody and everything that has gone before, but for us it has been a journey of the last three years.
"It is all about this circle and this group of people, whilst loving the people that support this club."
He added: "It is another moment in time and we have got an amazing opportunity. There is no expectation and we don't feel any burden.
"The only thing we feel is each other and inside of that circle, and that is what we are doing."
Bath hammered Leicester 43-15 in May to complete a league double over their historic rivals.
But Van Graan has warned against complacency at Twickenham, which will be the last game in charge for Tigers head coach Michael Cheika and for Leicester stalwarts Dan Cole and Ben Youngs ahead of their retirement.
"It is definitely a stand-alone fixture," he said.
"Obviously, you do your homework and you look at what's worked for you, what didn't, what worked for them, what didn't.
"You look at every game in a different way but a final is so unique, it is the last game of the season for both clubs."
© 2025 AFP
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France 24
29-07-2025
- France 24
Goalkeeper Trafford returns to Man City from Burnley
Man City activated a £27.5 million ($36.7 million) buy-back clause for the 22-year-old England youth international, according to British media reports. Trafford, who never played for the City senior team during his first spell at the Etihad Stadium, left for Burnley in 2023. He struggled in his first season as the Clarets were relegated from the Premier League, but equalled an English football record with 29 clean sheets last term to help Burnley earn promotion back into the top flight. "This is the place I call home -- it's a truly special football club with fantastic people who make it such a unique place to work and play," he said in a statement. "I am still very young and hungry to keep learning and improving -- and I know there is no better environment than Manchester City to help make me become the best goalkeeper I can be. "I will do everything I can to help this great club look to achieve even more success." City coach Pep Guardiola dropped established number one Ederson multiple times last season in favour of Stefan Ortega. Trafford, who will wear the number one shirt, will battle with Brazilian Ederson to be first choice. He is Man City's sixth signing of the transfer window after they finished third last season, well adrift of champions Liverpool in their bid for a fifth straight Premier League title. Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders, Marcus Bettinelli, Rayan Cherki and Sverre Nypan have all already moved to the club since the end of last season.
Euronews
27-07-2025
- Euronews
Spain loses out to England on penalties at Women's EURO 2025
Spain controlled the game during the first half with an England team locked in defence and looking to counter and prevent Spain from finishing. The Spaniards had over 63% of possession in the first half. More than 34,200 people have gathered at St. Jakob Park Stadium to watch the final of the Women's EURO 2025, demonstrating the growing interest in women's football in recent years. After a couple of clear-cut chances for Spain and a confident performance from the England goalkeeper, it was not until the 18th minute that England had a clear shot which Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll saved with a fine left foot. It was not until the 24th minute that Spain took the lead when Mariona headed home from a precise pass from Ona Batlle, sending the St. Jakob Park in Basel into a frenzy. With virtually no time wasted in the first half, the referee added just one minute to the clock, and the first half ended with Spain 1-0 up and a great performance from goalkeeper Cata Coll with two great saves. 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Spain's first penalty was taken by Patri and she scored after beating the England keeper with a shot to the centre of the goal, having jumped to her right. 1-0 to Spain. England's second shot is taken by Greenwood and Cata Coll almost saves the ball, completely guessing the Englishwoman's intention. 1-1. Mariona's second shot is saved by the England keeper with a shot to the right from half way down the pitch. Still a draw in the penalty shoot-out. England's third shot, inside from the left, just the opposite side to where the England goalkeeper shot. 1-2 in favour of England. Aitana Bonmatí takes the third Spanish penalty. She hits it with her right foot to the left of the goal where it was taken and saved by the England goalkeeper. It's still 1-2 for England. Williamson takes the fourth penalty and Cata Coll makes a safe save! The score was still 1-2 in England's favour. Paralluelo takes the fourth Spanish penalty and shoots wide of the goal. 1-2 for England. The fifth penalty, if Kelly scores, England win. And... in. Spain lose the European Championship to England.
France 24
24-07-2025
- France 24
England's Crawley 'owes' himself more good performances
Crawley has long been a polarising figure in English cricket given his modest average of 31.40 from 58 Tests, including a mere five hundreds -- a poor return from a specialist batsman. But, significantly, England captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, have never lost faith in the 27-year-old for all Crawley's critics, including former England skipper Michael Vaughan, believe he is failing to do his talent justice. And the Kent right-hander repaid some of the England management's confidence with 84 on Thursday at a ground where he made a stunning 189 during the 2023 Ashes. Crawley and opening partner Ben Duckett, who also missed out Thursday on a hundred when falling for 94, launched England's reply to India's first-innings 358 with a swashbuckling stand of 166 in 32 overs. England ended the second day on 225-2, a deficit of 133 runs. "I always want more from myself and I've certainly wanted more for myself than I've got in the last year or so," said Crawley, whose elegant style has often, if perhaps unfairly, led to accusations of a cavalier attitude. He also told reporters: "I just feel like I owe it to myself to have a few more good performances. I don't think I've ever got out in my life and not been annoyed and I was certainly annoyed (after getting out on Thursday)." Crawley and left-hander Duckett, also unable to reach three figures Thursday when falling for 94, delighted the Manchester crowd just a week after being caught up in a time-wasting row in the third Test at Lord's. England eventually won that match by 22 runs to go 2-1 up in this five-match series, with Crawley, sworn at during the fracas by India captain Shubman Gill, saying: "At Lord's, I loved that little passage. No one stepped over the line, it was just competitive cricket, I really enjoyed it." 'Amazing Pant' After India resumed Thursday, Stokes took his first Test five-wicket haul since 2017 while Rishabh Pant braved the pain barrier to make a gutsy fifty. India vice-captain Pant was struck a painful blow on the right boot on Wednesday when he attempted an extravagant reverse sweep a Chris Woakes yorker and had to leave the field on a buggy after retiring hurt on 37. But even though substitute Dhruv Jurel will now keep wicket in Pant's place for the rest of this match, the India vice-captain still resumed his innings Thursday amid suggestions of a broken foot, although the tourists have still to confirm the extent of the injury. Pant limped every time he moved forward yet still managed some typically flamboyant shots before he was bowled for 54 by express quick Jofra Archer. India all-rounder Shardul Thakur said of Pant: "This was just another amazing thing he did for the team. His pain bearing capacity is very high. If he is in pain, it is a big injury." © 2025 AFP
