Bath Rugby are gearing up for their first Gallagher PREM derby of the season this weekend – and head of rugby Johann van Graan says it will be “pretty special”.
Tom Dunn, left, and Johann van Graan talking about this weekend’s Bath Rugby v Gloucester Rugby derby when they faced the press on Tuesday 7th October | Photo © Bath Rugby
The Blue, Black & White will take on Gloucester Rugby at The Rec on Saturday 11th October, the second day of the PREM’s Derby Weekend (Friday 10th October to Sunday 12th October).
Bath go into the match with two bonus-point victories under their belt, while the Cherry & Whites have lost both of their games – 27-10 at Sale Sharks in their opener and, on Sunday 5th October, 37-35 at home to Northampton Saints after recovering from a 31-7 interval deficit.
During Bath’s pre-Derby Weekend press conference on Tuesday 7th October, van Graan said: “I’m South African, South Africa is the big Bulls-Stormers derbies, Transvaal versus Western Province.
“When I was at Munster, the big one was the Munster-Leinster one.
“And certainly from a Bath point of view, the Gloucester-Bath one is pretty special, whether it’s at The Rec or down at their place.
“I think it’s played in good spirits. I think there’s mutual respect. I respect George [Skivington, Gloucester’s head coach], we get along really well.
“I think they want to play positively, we want to play positively.
“I think that’s one of the real feel-good stories of the Premiership.
“Both teams will go out for 80 minutes and afterwards we’ll shake hands and have a beer together.”
Bath hooker and fans’ favourite Tom Dunn has played in his fair share of matches against Gloucester, and he recalled receiving an unconventional drenching during a derby at the Cherry & Whites’ Kingsholm Stadium.
The 32-year-old, who made his debut for the Blue, Black & White in 2012, said: “There was an occasion when The Shed poured cider on us on the bench. It’s all tongue-in-cheek stuff but there’s a bit more spice to it.
“I’m very literal with my rugby, whether it’s a final or a pre-season game, it’s 80 minutes, there’s a pitch and 15 blokes, so ultimately that takes care of that.”
Derby Weekend, Round 3 of the 2025-26 league season, will see the launch of the Bravery Starts Here campaign, a new mental-health drive by PREM Rugby and official charity partner Mental Health UK.
Bravery Starts Here, which will get under way on World Mental Health Day (Friday 10th October), is a season-long initiative that will harness the strength and solidarity of the rugby community to redefine what it means to be brave.
It will use rugby as a tool to equip fans, players, coaches and staff with the support, connections and skills they need to be their brave, bold and determined selves on and off the pitch.
Bravery Starts Here will champion every act of courage – whether it’s playing 80 minutes of high-impact rugby in front of thousands of spectators or simply getting out of bed during a tough spell.
Laylla Stanley, PREM Rugby’s strategic lead – social impact, and diversity and inclusivity, said: “Our partnership with Mental Health UK demonstrates our commitment to using rugby as a force for good beyond the pitch.
“The sport is perfectly placed to be used as a tool to help people be their brave and bold selves. Bravery isn’t just in the tackles and tries – it’s in the everyday choices we make to support ourselves and each other.”
PREM Rugby and Mental Health UK commissioned research with YouGov to spotlight the perceptions rugby fans have of mental health and wellbeing.
The research shows that nearly 30% of rugby fans feel confident supporting others with their mental health – compared to 25% of UK adults overall.
The culture of rugby, built on being brave, determined and welcoming, makes it the ideal environment to break down stigma and have the conversations that matter.
The Bath versus Gloucester match, along with all of the other Derby Weekend fixtures, will spotlight mental health.
At the games across the country there will be in-stadia activations, mental-health resources, guest speakers and fundraising initiatives, each one designed to encourage conversations and support better mental health.
For more about Bravery Starts Here, visit https://fundraising.mentalhealth-uk.org/event/prem-rugby/home
Kick-off at The Rec on Saturday 11th October will be at 5.30pm.
To purchase tickets for the big battle, visit https://www.eticketing.co.uk/bathrugby/EDP/Event/Index/2493?position=1.
