What Bath can learn from Saracens in quest for Champions Cup greatness

How does one measure greatness? It is a conundrum that has been deliberated over by scores of historians, philosophers and Year Nine English exam essayists, each forming their own view. One can be great in size, stature or office but not necessarily in deed; conversely, even the most trifling act can take on greater meaning.

Greatness can be in the eye of the beholder – a difference of definition of the term is the bedrock of many a great debate. Let us narrow the parameters, then, and consider only sport; in fact, a smaller sample still and great English club rugby union sides. That, surely, is simpler to define: domestic dominance allied to at least one continental crown.

A scan down the list of Investec Champions Cup winners and three teams standout: Leicester’s snarling Tigers at the turn of the century; the Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards-led Wasps of 2003-04; the Saracens of a decade ago. Saracens forged a great dynasty about a decade ago (Getty Images) If things go as Bath hope over the next few months, they will make that elite trio a quartet. A city starved of silverware at last had the trophy drought ended with a treble last year, and now have their sights set on new goals.

By most other sporting measures of merit, they are nearing elite territory – be it winning while playing poorly or the strength in depth shown with a heavily rotated team successful at Sale on Sunday. It is they and Northampton that look likeliest to vie for the Gallagher Prem title, but it is the knockout rounds in Europe that will be the true test of their candidacy for elevated status. That begins this weekend with a visit from Saracens; naturally, Bath’s process-driven director of rugby is not looking beyond the round of 16.