Van Graan adds new faces to his coaching team
TRANSFER NEWS: Bath head coach Johann van Graan has added Andy Robinson and Stevie Scott to his coaching team for the 2023/24 season.
With 249 Bath appearances to his name and returning to the club 25 years after leading Bath to European victory, Robinson has been appointed the club’s new Head Academy Coach.
He will head up the Bath’s Premiership Cup fixtures in the early stages of the competition, lending his international-level experience to the Head of Academy, Craig Lilley, to bring out the young players’ full potential.
The former Bath head coach will also play a part in van Graan’s senior coaching team as the Contact Coach. Robinson assisted Bath in the latter part of the 2022/23 season as a consultant, where the team finished eighth in the Premiership table and secured their place in the Champions Cup.
Meanwhile, Scott has joined the Blue, Black and White ahead of the 2023/24 season as the new Scrum Coach.
A former Scotland international with 11 caps for his country, the front row has both playing and coaching experience at Edinburgh Rugby, earning 99 caps at the Scottish club and spending four seasons coaching.
Moving to the Premiership in 2010, Scott coached Sale Sharks before moving to Scotland to take up an assistant coach. With time at Utah Warriors and Watsonians also on his resume, Scott is a knowledgeable speciality coach that will add vital experience to Bath’s scrum.
Of his appointment, Robinson said: “I’m glad to be back at Bath and I’m looking forward to making a change on the pitch. There’s a great group of players here and I’m excited to see what I can achieve with the team.”
Robinson brings with him a wealth of knowledge from his time on the international stage assisting in England’s 2003 World Cup victory, as well as being Head Coach of Scotland and Romania.
Acknowledging Robinson’s connection with Bath, Van Graan said: “I’m excited to have Andy with us and I couldn’t think of a better man to coach here at Bath.
“Andy has achieved a tremendous amount in both his playing and coaching career and is a well-known face in the city. It’ll be great for all of us here to have someone so deeply connected to Bath’s professional rugby history.”
Scott said: “I’m delighted to be joining Bath Rugby. I think it’s a really exciting time for the club and thankful for the opportunity to work with top-class players and coaches.
“Bath is home to some of the best forwards in the Premiership and I’m looking forward to a successful season.”
Commenting on his appointment, Bath’s head coach, Van Graan said: “Stevie is a hugely experienced coach, and he’s the right type of person I want coaching with me at the club.
“He’s worked across multiple different competitions and adding him to our coaching set-up will be invaluable for the development of our set piece.”
