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Page last updated at 15:57 GMT, Tuesday, 2 September 2008 16:57 UK

Club-by-club guide - Bath
Shontayne Hape and Bath boss Steve Meehan

Head coach: Steve Meehan
Captains: Michael Lipman/Alex Crockett
Ground: The Rec (10,600 capacity)
Last season: GP - 3rd (lost in play-off semi-final) ECC - Winners
Elite squad players: 2 (Mears, Stevens)

Bath may have reached the play-offs and collected their first piece of silverware since 1998 last season but the celebrations were marred slightly with the knowledge that Steve Borthwick and Olly Barkley were about to leave the Rec for pastures new.

With Danny Grewcock also out injured for the first two months of the season, much forward responsibility rests on new locks Justin Harrison and Stuart Hooper.

Bath will also hope New Zealand rugby league international Shontayne Hape (left) succeeds where another union convert, Chev Walker, did not.

"It was disappointing to end up with nothing in the league after such a bright campaign. It will serve as motivation this season. With the new personnel we have there is a different feel to the place and it provides a different dynamic to our game. We are happy with where we are."
Head coach Steve Meehan