Gallagher Premiership Rugby: Bath 'could become the team that dominates’ - Ben Kay

TNT Sports pundit Ben Kay believes Bath have the potential to “dominate” the Gallagher Premiership over the coming years despite losing 25-21 to Northampton Saints in Saturday’s final at Twickenham.

Two seasons ago, Bath propped up a 13-team Premiership but have made a remarkable turnaround under Johann van Graan and it nearly culminated in a spectacular first domestic crown in 28 years.

Bath were reduced to 14 men in the 22nd minute when Beno Obano was sent off for a high tackle and quickly fell 15-3 behind, only to produce a spirited comeback to lead 21-18 with just seven minutes left to play.

If it was not for a moment of magic from George Hendy the title may well have been theirs, but the replacement winger beat three defenders to set up Northampton scrum-half Alex Mitchell for the decisive score.

However, with a number of sides set for a summer of transition, Kay reckons the defeat could be a blessing in disguise and backed Bath to once again establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the top-flight of English rugby.

“When the red card happened we all thought it was going to be a long afternoon but they fought and it shows the belief that Johann van Graan and his coaches have instilled in a team that were serial underachievers,” Kay said on TNT Sports.

“And they were so close this afternoon. A huge effort from the blue, black and white but you look at who they’re losing in comparison to who other teams are losing and the strength in depth in every position that Bath have.

“Despite losing today I think Bath are right back at the top for the next few years and could become the team that dominates the Premiership.

“Sometimes you have to go to a final and lose one to realise what it’s all about. This team will stay here at the top, I think, for the next few years.”

Few would have given Bath any hope 30 minutes in. Down 15-3 and with 14 players to Northampton’s 15, it appeared set to be a Twickenham trouncing. However, tries from Thomas du Toit and Will Muir either side of half-time, coupled with two penalties and a conversion from the boot of Finn Russell, gave Bath a slender advantage and put a historic comeback within reach.

It was not to be in the end, but there is a feeling that Bath will not have another nine years to wait until their next final.

The disappointment was understandably written on the face of Van Graan in the immediate aftermath but, like Kay, the 44-year-old South African is confident there is more to come from this group.

“We came here to win today so disappointed that we didn’t [but] this team have become tough to beat,” Van Graan said.

“The belief was there up until the last play of the game and then you’ve got to make peace when the final whistle goes that it wasn’t our day.

“Congratulations to Northampton, they were four points better than us on the day, but I can’t be prouder of this group and to be the coach of this group. That was one of my best rugby days.”

He added: “We found a different way to compete and that’s sport. You’ve got to be adaptable and we gave it all we’ve got.

“To see people get better, to see men grow to become better players, to see smiles on the faces of our supporters and to be part of a journey to give people belief.

“There was certainly a lot of belief on and off the pitch today. The best is yet to come from this team.”

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