There is a buzz in Bath, Nick Blofeld says

Nick Blofeld joined Bath after a career in racecourse management

Bath Rugby's Chief Executive Nick Blofeld says there is a "buzz" in the city after Bath City won promotion to the Blue Square Premier.

The rugby club hopes to make it a double success when it faces Leicester in the Premiership play-off semi-final on Sunday.

Blofeld told BBC Radio Bristol: "Both clubs being successful at the same time is very positive for the city - there's a real buzz about the place.

"If we can help them in any way we will, although I'm not sure our coaches will be much use with a round ball."

"Brilliant set-up"

Blofeld, who joined the club in November, said Bath's tie at Leicester was "a huge challenge."

"It was our worst game post-Christmas probably and the players know that, so it's a good place to go back to," he said.

He said the side, which goes into the semi-final having won their last six games, has toughened up since their early season wobble and the communication between coaches and players has improved.

"They are playing in the style which they want to play and we want them to see - a mixture of style and stubbornness," he said.

Blofeld said Bath's new owner Bruce Craig brought a crucial "passion" for success to the club.

"We will now have an elite performance centre that will afford the players the opportunity to train in a brilliant set-up, with state-of-the-art equipment," he said.

He added that the search for a possible new home for the club was continuing, with "two or three options" being considered, one of which was redeveloping the Rec.

"We want to stay in the heart of Bath, but there are challenges in a small city like this," he said.