Charlie Ewels’ first trip to Bath as a fresh-faced 14-year-old didn’t get off to the best of starts.
‘It was a long drive for me from Bournemouth,’ said the England lock who now captains the club.
‘I’d never been to Bath before and had never seen the Rec. We drove over Pulteney Bridge — which was a £35 ticket for my old man straight away. We wondered why it was so quiet!’
Chris Ewels has admitted his frustration following Bath's run of ten straight defeats
Since joining Bath in 2009 — where he soon got to work under the guidance of former England lock Danny Grewcock — Ewels has risen through the club’s ranks.
Bath has been his life for the past 13 years, which is why the club’s current struggles pain him so much. Stuart Hooper’s side are yet to win in the Premiership this season.
A wretched run of 10 straight defeats leaves them in last place. Were the Premiership not ring-fenced and free from relegation, Bath would be in a lot more trouble than they already are.
‘The club does mean a lot to me,’ said Ewels, who has won 24 England caps. ‘Of course what’s happening now is hurting us. As much as it hurts me and the rest of the players, we’re in the privileged position where we can do something about it.
‘That’s where I feel for the fans. As much as they can cheer and shout, they must feel helpless. They want the same as us, which is for Bath to be successful.
‘We’ve got to be pragmatic about this because if you get too emotional, you’ll never achieve anything. I can start thinking I’m Superman and try and do everything myself, but the best way I can help the club is by training and playing hard.
‘We’re in a sticky patch, but the changes we make now will be the foundation for future success.’
Bath’s hierarchy has already acted to try to turn the tide.
Munster’s Johann van Graan will join as head coach for next season on a long-term deal. He will work alongside director of rugby Hooper. Brent Janse van Rensburg has come in to fix Bath’s more-than-leaky defence while upstairs, former Saracens chief executive Edward Griffiths arrived as chairman at the start of the year. Griffiths succeeded owner Bruce Craig.
Such moves were entirely necessary.
Munster’s Johann van Graan will join as head coach for next season as Bath make changes
Bath have been
